I'm really not convinced this whole forum idea isn't a solution in search of a problem. Every web forum I've ever seen is a bad recreation of Usenet. And for Usenet, we already have the mailing lists through gmane.
My opinion exactly; except that I believe that making comments editable is the major difference that makes it not be like Usenet.
I think most people acknowledge that the lack of technical structure to the discussion threads /is/ a problem.
Timwi