The forums used to be excellent now not so much and this applies to most of them across a wide variety of pastimes and interests. So much so that it's a waste of time posting anything in them. Too many people with vested interests trying to surreptitiously guide people to their own product is a major concern.
I blame the mobile phone and the adults who cannot type, preferring to drop one line comments in replies and never ever backing them up with some hard won personal experience. The 'fuzzing' of posts with alternative suggestions happens all the time so much so that the original poster has no idea what to do and the threads are so confusing that it becomes impossible for someone to learn anything.
Then there are those who pick up some comment that is totally incorrect and repeat it without checking it out for themselves. This is then repeated so many times that it becomes gospel.
The manufacturers are also in on the act, pandering to the buyers who want something 'bigger' when what they've got is perfectly adequate. Then there is the incremental 'improvement' that is shouted out as a vital necessity and followed up by the fools who will buy it.
To go to;
The JLH thread on DIY Audio still continuing after 21 years and now up to 436 pages.
Dr Mick Feuerbacher made his last minimal amp in 2007 using LM3886 and is still listening to it. His journey towards it is detailed on his web site. Very interesting reading and the way I make my amps, contrary to the information in the forums. But it works ...... superbly.
Flickr for photographers millions on there and there will be a group that will suit your own tastes and by looking at the work of others you will be able to make lots of progress. Most photography forums are not interested in photography but only in cameras.
diyaudioprojects Lots of projects here all of proven designs from the most simple and inexpensive to the complex and expensive.
DIY electronic music Eddy Bergman, great site, great bloke.
You Tube for the above and for any other pastime
And lastly many sites like this one, hard to find I admit but Google is there to help you and a for few hours searching you will be well rewarded.