In the last few years it appears as if more and more forums are actign as standalone sites. When my forum first launched it was part of a network but has since seperated off into its own little world only to now grow back into a network. Do you run your forum as a site in and of its self and if so, do you think it takes away from your overall reach onto your niche (i.e. do you get less users using your site because it is a forum than if it was a static content site)?

I used to have a forum , but I only used it for testing purpose. And the forum was not really a part of my website.

Some sites that are only powered by a forum and don't have additional features or sections run perfectly ok.

But if you offer additional services, information or want announcements, you have to expand or be original. :)