When I think about my previous source of niche info -- Usenet or Yahoo Email Groups -- I vastly prefer forums: searchable, easy to read. (Although changing image hosting has hamstrung many old forums)

What was great about Yahoo Groups was that email would meet the subject matter expert where they were for answers. I was a member of several groups that had old timers with seemingly secret, specific knowledge and a willingness to help others.

I'm a member of a couple Discord servers now with subject matter experts (people who actually designed the computers we're rebuilding) but all their knowledge is locked behind an unsearchable wall.

I hope Lemmy/Kbin/Fediverse forums catch on and invite a new wave of experts to a place where their knowledge won't be lost.