Apple have gone live with the Apple Support Communities support forum upgrade which it announced last year. This adds social networking features and replaces the Apple Discussions board.

Apple announced the new Support Communities upgrade to their online forums last August on the Apple Discussions Board.

It said “Apple Support Communities brings together thousands of Macintosh, iPod, iPhone, and iPad users from around the world to discuss Apple products and topics. Apple Support communities provides a wealth of information about your favorite Apple hardware and software products to help you get the most out of your purchase. And, in the spirit of community, you can also help other Apple Support Communities' users by answering their questions.”

The new forum style is more focused on the social elements, getting people to stay longer and to converse with other like minded individuals.

Users are encouraged to browse through the communities and to find one focused on their relevant topic of conversation, then to join in the discussion or even now liking posts. If the problem or question isn't already posted, then they can submit their question to the community.

Apple has outlined a “Community Etiquette” policy for ASC:

• Post only technical support questions and answers, unless otherwise noted.
• Be polite, constructive and stay on topic.
• Search for questions similar to your own before submitting them to the community.
• Reward helpful community members by marking answers to your questions helpful and correct.
• Avoid speculation and rumors.

Knowing that communities like to receive acknowledgment for their work, there is a reputation points system in place. Apple have also hinted as ‘privileges' although there is no clear indication yet as to what these might be.

KitGuru says: An improvement in support for Apple users. Do you like it?

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