Imageboard: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:38, 18 March 2009

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{{Short description|Type of Internet forum}}

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An '''imageboard''' (IB) is a type of [[Internet forum]] that focuses on the posting of images, often alongside text and discussion. The first imageboards were created in Japan as an extension of the [[textboard]] concept. These sites later inspired the creation of a number of [[English language|English-language]] imageboards.

{{Cleanup-rewrite|date=February 2009}}{{Primarysources|date=February 2008}}

[[Image:Iichan.png|thumb|Screenshot from an [[iichan.net]] imageboard]]

==Characteristics==

An '''imageboard''' (also '''chan''', which itself is short for channel) is a type of [[Internet forum]] that revolves around the posting of [[Digital image|images]]. The first imageboards were created in [[Japan]], and many [[English language|English-language]] imageboards today are centered around [[Japanese culture]].

[[File:4chan.png|thumb|A [[Thread (online communication)|thread]] on [[4chan]], a popular English language imageboard]]

Imageboards, similar to [[bulletin board system]]s, are used for discussions of a variety of topics. The primary focus of imageboards, however, is directed away from text posts, and is instead placed on picture posts. The two share many of the same structures, including separate forums for separate topics, as well as similar audiences. Imageboards are much more transitory with content—on some boards (especially highly trafficked ones), the [[Thread (online communication)|thread]] deletion time can be as little as 10 minutes. The most popular English language imageboard, [[4chan]], similarly has a large variety of topics.

Imageboards are also different from [[image hosting service|online galleries]] in that most of the works posted are not made by the poster, but instead are taken from other online sources: galleries, other imageboards, and edited pictures.

== Characteristics of imageboards ==

Imageboards, similar to bulletin boards, are used for discussion of a variety of topics. The primary focus of imageboards, however, is directed away from text posts, and is instead placed on picture posts. The two share many of the same structures, including separate forums for separate topics, as well as similar audiences. Imageboards are much more transitory with content—on some boards (especially highly-trafficked ones), the thread deletion time can be as little as 10 minutes. The most popular [[English language|English-language]] imageboards tend to revolve around Japanese culture such as [[CG artwork]] of [[anime]]. In [[Japan]], where imageboards are more common, topics vary widely, ranging from [[train]]s to current [[news]].

=== Tripcodes ===

Imageboards are also different from [[Image hosting service|online galleries]] in that most of the works posted are not made by the poster, but instead are taken from other online sources: galleries, other imageboards, and edited pictures.

[[File:Tripcode generation diagram.svg|thumb|right|300px|A diagram of a typical tripcode derivation process]]

Most imageboards and [[2channel]]-style discussion boards allow (and encourage) [[anonymous post]]ing and use a system of tripcodes instead of registration. A tripcode is the [[Hash function|hashed]] (one-way encrypted) result of a password that allows one's identity to be recognized without storing data about users. Entering a particular password will let one "sign" one's posts with the tripcode generated from that password. Trying to take another user's tripcode and compute their password from it (for instance, to make posts that appear to come from a particular person) is somewhat computationally difficult. For those who want a custom tripcode, however, there are custom tripcode generators (which are technically tripcode crackers) available, such as Meriken's Tripcode Engine<ref>{{cite web|url=https://github.com/meriken/merikens-tripcode-engine-v3|title="Meriken's Tripcode Engine" is a cross-platform custom tripcode generator.: meriken/merikens-tripcode-engine-v3|date=26 March 2019|via=[[GitHub]]|access-date=7 June 2016|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109072132/https://github.com/meriken/merikens-tripcode-engine-v3|url-status=live}}</ref> and MTY_CL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://github.com/madsbuvi/MTY_CL|title=A custom tripcode searcher, written using OpenCL. Primarily targeting the GCN architectures (Radeon HD 77xx and later).: madsbuvi/MTY_CL|date=9 March 2019|via=GitHub|access-date=7 June 2016|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101234846/https://github.com/madsbuvi/MTY_CL|url-status=live}}</ref> Anonymity is considered to be one of the advantages of an imageboard, and some boards have from time to time removed the ability to post with a name altogether (known as "forced anonymity").

Most imageboards and [[2channel]]-style discussion boards allow (and encourage) anonymous posting and use a system of [[tripcode]]s instead of registration. Anonymity is considered to be one of the advantages of an imageboard. Some boards have from time to time removed the ability to post with a name altogether (known as 'forced anonymous/anonymity').

==== Secure tripcodes ====

If a user wants to reply to a thread but not [[Bump (Internet)|bump]] it, they can put the word ''sage'' (Japanese: 下げ) in the e-mail field. "''Age''ing" can refer to either bumping a post or putting the word ''age'' (Japanese: 上げ) into the e-mail field. It is considered polite to ''sage'' when replying to your own thread, but this is rarely done. On Western imageboards, "''sage''ing" is often seen as a sign of disapproval, as threads with multiple ''sage''s are more likely to be deleted automatically as they fall down the board.

Because tripcodes can be cracked given enough time, some imageboards, such as [[4chan]] and [[8chan]], implement a "secure" tripcode.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=[[4chan]] |url=https://www.4chan.org/faq#sectrip|access-date=2020-08-21}}</ref> A secure tripcode is not reproducible across different imageboards; it works by prepending a [[Salt (cryptography)|secure salt]] to the tripcode which, barring [[security hacker]] intrusion, is known only to the server's staff.<ref name=":1" /> It therefore functions closer to a [[username]] than to a cryptographic signature; this is why [[QAnon]] could not verify themselves on another website when 8chan went down in late 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Roose|first=Kevin|date=2021-01-17|title=What Is QAnon, the Viral Pro-Trump Conspiracy Theory?|url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/what-is-qanon.html|access-date=2021-01-21|work=The New York Times|quote=Each of these sites uses a system of identity verification known as a 'tripcode'—essentially, a username that proves that a series of anonymous posts were written by the same person or people.|archive-date=2020-09-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922192821/https://www.nytimes.com/article/what-is-qanon.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Glaser|first=April|date=2019-11-11|title=8chan Is Back as 8kun. Its Racist Users Found New Homes While It Was Offline.|url=https://slate.com/technology/2019/11/8chan-8kun-white-supremacists-telegram-discord-facebook.html|access-date=2020-08-21|website=Slate|language=en|archive-date=2020-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613135517/https://slate.com/technology/2019/11/8chan-8kun-white-supremacists-telegram-discord-facebook.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Breland|first=Ali|date=2019-08-15|title=How QAnon will outlive 8Chan|website=Mother Jones (magazine)|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/08/qanon-8chan/|access-date=2020-10-01|archive-date=2021-01-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126131712/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/08/qanon-8chan/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Booru==

In Japan, the imageboard is a much larger cultural symbol, with one guess putting the total number of posts for Futaba's five /b/{{Clarifyme|date=February 2009}} boards (four of which are no longer linked to by the main site) at over 56,000,000 and rising.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wakaba.c3.cx/soc/kareha.pl/1117571412 | title = The Society for the Study of Modern Image Board Culture Thread}}</ref>

[[File:Danbooru screenshot.png|thumb|a screenshot of Danbooru containing images of [[Blue Archive]] characters]]

A '''booru''' is a type of imageboard designed primarily for hosting and categorizing large collections of images, typically fan art, anime, manga, or other niche media. The term ''booru'' comes from the Japanese word "board" (ボード, bōdo), re-pronounced in a way that mimics how early anime/manga fans would romanize it online. It’s also a nod to Danbooru (Japanese for cardboard), the original and most well-known booru site.<ref>{{cite web |title=Danbooru |url=https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/sites/danbooru |website=Know Your Meme |date=25 February 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Baillet |first=Petrit |date=2022-10-07 |title=Concerns Rise Over "AI Art" Drowning Out Original Fanart |url=https://anitrendz.net/news/2022/10/07/hololive-ai-art/ |access-date=2025-07-04 |language=en-US |quote=Danbooru is a third party database of reuploaded fanart.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morisawa |first=Remi |date=2023-09-29 |title=This new AI anime art generator claims to be "clean," functioning without stolen art |url=https://automaton-media.com/en/news/20230929-21930/ |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=AUTOMATON WEST |language=en-US |quote=Danbooru is an online imageboard}}</ref>

Boorus were created as a companion to image boards to archive and index posted media, as opposed to the policy of [[imageboard]]s of deleting them when a post becomes too old. Booru also help international users to find media hosted by non-English gallery host, or hosts which often lack English tags,<ref>{{cite web |title=Image Booru |url=https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ImageBooru |website=TV Tropes}}</ref> in particular [[Pixiv]].

=== Software ===

There are currently three imageboard software packages in widespread use: Futallaby,<ref name="Futallaby">[http://www.1chan.net/futallaby/ Futallaby image board script]</ref> Kusaba,<ref name="kusaba">{{cite web | url = http://code.google.com/p/kusaba/ | title = kusaba}}</ref> Wakaba.<ref name="Wakaba">[http://wakaba.c3.cx wakaba.c3.cx<]</ref>

===Forks and community Boorus===

[a is a PHP script based on the Futaba script from [[Futaba Channel]]. Although Futallaby is still in use at 1chan,<ref>[http://www.1chan.net/ 1chan.net]</ref> and the Futallaby source is still freely available, it is no longer in development, and the download page recommends using Wakaba instead, stating that "Wakaba can do everything Futallaby does and so much more."<ref name="Futallaby"/> Futallaby started as a translation of Futaba, later retooled to support XHTML and customizable CSS styles. It is mostly notable for being the first English imageboard script.

The source code for Danbooru is publicly available on GitHub.<ref>{{cite web |title=danbooru/danbooru |url=https://github.com/danbooru/danbooru |publisher=Danbooru |access-date=31 May 2025 |date=31 May 2025}}</ref> The most popular forks of Danbooru include Gelbooru and [[E621 (website)|e621.net]], which maintain their own custom feature sets, and allowed post types. Community-managed boorus which simply use basic features and host specific types of images are provided by various shared hosting providers.{{such as|date=August 2025}}

== List of imageboards ==

Wakaba is written from the ground up in [[Perl]], and a SQL backend to store thread information. Wakaba is very strictly modelled after the Futaba and Futallaby scripts. Wakaba borrows some HTML codes and translated text from Futallaby. It is designed to be more efficient and cleanly written than other scripts that are available, while preserving the same kind of functionality. Wakaba scripts are in use at iichan. Wakaba is one of most popular western imageboard software scripts, used most notably by fchan<ref>[http://fchan.us/ fchan.us]</ref>, and Wakachan.<ref>[http://wakachan.org/ wakachan.org]</ref>

<!--Inclusion in this section depends upon coverage in reliable secondary sources. If all you have is a link to the imageboard itself, or low quality tabloid/SEO spam, the entry will be removed-->

===2ch===

{{Main|Dvach}}

{{Distinguish|2channel|text=[[2channel]], a Japanese [[textboard]]}}

'''Dvach''' ({{Langx|ru|двач|lit=|translit=dvách}})<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://lurkmore.to/%D0%94%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%87|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218171921/http://lurkmore.to/%D0%94%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%87|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 18, 2013|script-title=ru:Двач|work=Lurkmore|access-date=2018-10-02|language=ru}}</ref> is a Russian imageboard that replaced the 2ch.ru imageboard (originally known as dvach), which was shut down earlier on January 17, 2009. It thoroughly copied the original [[Page layout|layout]], was heavily advertised over the internet, and managed to succeed the original one in popularity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lurkmore.to/%D0%93%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%8B_%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%87%D0%B0|title=Геты 2ch.hk|website=Lurkmore}}{{Dead link|date=January 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> According to its owners, the number of posts left in the /b/ board exceeded 150 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2ch.hk/b/arch/2017-03-31/res/150010363.html|title=//Б/ред/ - че было в|website=Двач|access-date=2017-04-30|archive-date=2019-07-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720185008/https://2ch.hk/b/arch/2017-03-31/res/150010363.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2016, a pro-Russian government organisation,{{Clarify|date=October 2020}} [[Mail.ru]], helped to organize a "defense" against alleged [[Denial-of-service attack#Distributed DoS|DDOS]] attacks that took place during the same month. These events raised concerns and speculations among users, who grew suspicious of an alleged takeover committed by Mail.ru, and who criticized the owner's controversial decision to accept "help".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://lurkmore.to/2ch.hk#2ch.mail.ru|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150921230323/http://lurkmore.to/2ch.hk#2ch.mail.ru|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 21, 2015|title=2ch.hk|work=Lurkmore|access-date=2018-10-02|language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://meduza.io/news/2016/09/30/mail-ru-zaschitila-dvach-ot-ddos-ataki|title=Mail.ru защитила "Двач" от DDoS-атаки|work=Meduza|access-date=2018-10-02|language=ru-RU|archive-date=2021-01-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111025956/https://meduza.io/news/2016/09/30/mail-ru-zaschitila-dvach-ot-ddos-ataki|url-status=live}}</ref> As of October 2018 It was widely believed that the imageboard was simply "sold" on undisclosed terms to a pro-government organization. The decision was met with strong criticism, due to the risks to [[Privacy|disclosure]] of users' credentials from an inherently anonymous community, coming from a government body that could potentially violate these principles of anonymity, causing many to leave the board by the end of 2016. As of 2019, it remains one of the largest active Russian-speaking imageboards.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

Kusaba is modular, written from scratch with [[PHP]] for server side scripting, [[JavaScript]] for some client side scripting, and with [[ADOdb Lite]] for database abstraction to a database, [[MySQL]]. The main focus of the development of Kusaba was to code faster and more efficient software for multi-imageboard sites. The center feature of the software is the centralization of the backend for all boards by having a single installation controlling all boards. The creator has discontinued the project in favor of a separate imageboard project using [[Python (programming language)|Python]] called PyIB<ref name="PyIB">[http://code.google.com/p/pyib-standalone/ PyIB Imageboard Script]</ref>, going so far as to not renew the kusaba.org ___domain name. When the site went down, the last version of the software (1.0.4) was hosted on another imageboard site, Megachan, and development has been picked up by Kusaba X, [http://www.operatorchan.org operatorchan.org], and Serissa<ref name="Megachan">[http://www.megachan.net/chan-scene/kusaba-is-dead-here-are-the-installation-files/ Kusaba is Dead - Here are the Installation Files]</ref>. Kusaba scripts are in use at 7chan<!-- Do not link to 7chan until it passes WP:N -->, and Kusaba.<ref name="kusaba"/>

=== Imageboards420chan ===

{{Main|420chan}}

=== Futaba Channel ===

An English-language imageboard based on [[cannabis]] culture<ref name="420Anon">{{cite book |last=Olson |first=Parmy |date=4 August 2013 |title=We Are Anonymous |publisher=Random House |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ucE1AAAAQBAJ&q=420chan&pg=PT332 |isbn=9781448136155 |access-date=28 March 2015 |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804053924/https://books.google.com/books?id=ucE1AAAAQBAJ&q=420chan&pg=PT332 |url-status=live }}</ref> which was created on 20 April 2005 by [[Aubrey Cottle]]. The name is a reference to the larger 4chan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boingboing.net/2014/12/31/how-imageboard-culture-shaped.html|title=How imageboard culture shaped Gamergate / Boing Boing|website=boingboing.net|date=31 December 2014|access-date=6 April 2019|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427130951/https://boingboing.net/2014/12/31/how-imageboard-culture-shaped.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and the code term ''[[420 (cannabis culture)|420]]'' of the cannabis [[subculture]]. Its boards included various drug-specific boards,<ref name="420Anon" /> as well as a board featuring a [[chatbot]] named Netjester.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://taimapedia.org/index.php?title=420chan |title=Taimapedia - 420chan |access-date=28 March 2015 |archive-date=20 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720185007/http://taimapedia.org/index.php?title=420chan |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{main|Futaba Channel}}

[[File:Chans family tree.png|thumb|right|260px|4chan was based on [[Futaba Channel]] (2chan.net), a Japanese image bulletin board which in turn had been established by users from [[2channel]] (now 5channel).]]

'''Futaba Channel''' (ふたば☆ちゃんねる), or "Futaba" for short, is a popular, anonymous BBS and imageboard system based in [[Japan]]. The board software packages [http://www.1chan.net/futallaby/ Futallaby], [http://wakaba.c3.cx/s/nihongo/wakaba_kareha.html Wakaba], and [http://www.4chan.org/faq#software Yotsuba], which are used on many other popular imageboards, are all derived from Futaba's original [http://www.2chan.net/script/ PHP script]. Its boards usually do not distinguish between pornographic ([[Not Safe For Work|NSFW]]) and "clean" content, but there is a strict barrier between two-dimensional (drawn) and three-dimensional ([[computer graphics|CG]] and photographic) pictures that is heavily enforced and debated.<ref>http://www.2chan.net/ Futaba Channel</ref>

=== 4chan ===

{{mainMain|4chan}}

'''4chan''' is an English -language imageboard based on the Japanese imageboard Futaba Channel. This imageboard is based primarily aroundupon the posting of pictures (generally related to animea wide variety of topics, from [[mangavideo games]], and popular culture to politics and [[sports]]) and their discussion. ''[[The Guardian]]'' describes it as "at once brilliant, ridiculous and alarming."<ref>[{{cite news |first=Sean |last=Michaels |date=2008-03-19 |title=Taking the Rick |website=The Guardian |___location=London |url=http://music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2266526,00.html Taking the Rick | Newsaccess-date=2011-09-29 |archive-date=2012-07-11 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711214619/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/mar/19/news Music]|url-status=live }}</ref>

The site and its userbase have received attention from the media for a number of reasons, including posts sporting terrorist threats against schools and sports stadiums,<ref name="bloombergnewsbombthreat">{{cite web| url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=aVpJWbr6YesA&refer=home|title=Wisconsin Man Is Charged in Fake NFL Stadium Threats|publisher=Bloomberg.com|accessdate=2006-10-20}}</ref> attacks against [[Hal Turner]] on his Internet shows,<ref name="freep">{{cite web | url=http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070205/NEWS07/70205031/0/NEWS06 | publisher=freep.com | title=Cyber foes find ways to silence hate-talk radio host |work=Detroit accessdateFree Press |access-date=2007-02-28 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929115741/http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070205%2FNEWS07%2F70205031%2F0%2FNEWS06}}</ref> and [[distributed denial-of-service attack]]s against [[eBaum's World]],<ref>{{cite web| |url=http://www.vitalsecurity.org/2006/01/lindsay-lohan-causes-massive-dos-war.html |title = Lindsay Lohan causes massive DoS war |publisher= Vitalsecurity.org |date=2006-01-09 |accessdateaccess-date=2008-01-20 |archive-date=2022-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105160927/https://techtalk.gfi.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| |url=http://www.lelezard.com/actu/3167/ebaumsworld-assiege.html |title=Ebaumsworld assiégé |author=Bertiaux, Michaël|title = Ebaumsworld assiégé|publisher=Le Lézard |language=Frenchfr |date=2006-01-09 |accessdateaccess-date=2008-01-19 |archive-date=2016-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222202548/http://www.lelezard.com/actu/3167/ebaumsworld-assiege.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and taking part in [[Project Chanology]].,<ref name="George-Cosh">{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=261308 |title=Online lastgroup declares war on Scientology |last=George-Cosh | first =David |work=[[National coauthorsPost]] |publisher=[[CanWest Global Communications|Canwest titlePublishing Inc.]] |date=OnlineJanuary group25, declares2008 war|access-date=2008-01-25 on|url-status=dead Scientology|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080128145858/http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=261308 |archive-date=January work28, 2008 }}</ref> and multiple cases of =[[NationalAnimal Postabuse|anti-animal abuse reports]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/08/31/5010813-web-video-woman-throws-puppies-in-river-4chan-tracks-her-down?pc=25&sp=25 pages|title=Web video: Woman throws puppies in river, 4chan tracks her down |last=Popkin |first=Helen languageA.S. |work=MSNBC Technology | publisher =[[CanWestMSNBC]] Global|date=August 31, 2010 Communications|Canwestaccess-date=2010-08-31 Publishing|url-status=dead Inc|archive-date=September 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910110708/http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/08/31/5010813-web-video-woman-throws-puppies-in-river-4chan-tracks-her-down?pc=25&sp=25}}</ref> Many [[Internet meme]]s |have dateoriginated there, including =[[Januarylolcats]],<ref>"Lolcats' 25demented captions create a new Web language", Tamara Ikenberg, ''[[The News Journal]]'', 9 July 2007</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/2007/11/14/News/Iz.Not.Cats.Everywhere.Online.Trend.Spreads.Across.Campus-3099929.shtml |title=Iz not cats everywhere? Online trend spreads across campus |author=Richards, Paul |newspaper=[[2008The Daily Pennsylvanian]] |date=2007-11-14 |access-date=2008-01-19 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117142809/http://media.www.nationalpostdailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/canada2007/story11/14/News/Iz.htmlNot.Cats.Everywhere.Online.Trend.Spreads.Across.Campus-3099929.shtml}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://thephoenix.com/Article.aspx?id=26130855486 |title=The accessdatecuteness surge |author=Steel, Sharon |newspaper=[[The Phoenix (newspaper)|The Phoenix]] |date=2008-02-01 |access-25date=2008-02-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213073432/http://thephoenix.com/Article.aspx?id=55486 |archive-date=2008-02-13 }}</ref> [[rickrolling]], and [[Pedobear]].

=== 8kun ===

Many [[Internet meme]]s have originated there, including [[lolcats]]<ref name="Ikenberg 2007">"Lolcats' demented captions create a new Web language", Tamara Ikenberg, ''[[The News Journal]]'', [[9 July]] [[2007]]</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/2007/11/14/News/Iz.Not.Cats.Everywhere.Online.Trend.Spreads.Across.Campus-3099929.shtml |title = Iz not cats everywhere? Online trend spreads across campus|author=Richards, Paul|publisher=''[[The Daily Pennsylvanian]]''|date=2007-11-14|accessdate=2008-01-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://thephoenix.com/Article.aspx?id=55486|title = The cuteness surge|author=Steel, Sharon|publisher=''[[The Phoenix (newspaper)|The Phoenix]]''|date=2008-02-01|accessdate=2008-02-10}}</ref> and [[rickrolling]].

{{Main|8chan}}

8kun (formerly 8chan, or Infinitechan) is a primarily English-language imageboard, although it has sub-boards dedicated to other languages. Just like 4chan, 8kun is based on posting pictures and discussion anonymously, but unlike 4chan, 8kun lets its users decide what they want to discuss by allowing any user to create their own board dedicated to any topic, a concept first made popular by news bulletin boards like [[Reddit]]. 8kun also claims to have a strong dedication to freedom of speech and allows all content&mdash;so long as the discussion and board creation abides by United States law.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailydot.com/politics/8chan-pedophiles-child-porn-gamergate/ |title=8chan, the central hive of Gamergate, is also an active pedophile network |last=Howell O'Neill |first=Patrick |work=The Daily Dot |date=November 17, 2014 |access-date=November 25, 2014 |archive-date=June 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628114639/http://www.dailydot.com/politics/8chan-pedophiles-child-porn-gamergate/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, local moderators enforce the rules of their own boards and may delete posts as they see fit. It is currently partnered with the Japanese [[textboard]] [[2channel]].

=== 420chanEndchan ===

Endchan is an English-language imageboard.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brace |first=Dr Lewys |date=2021-04-01 |title=The Role of the Chans in the Far-Right Online Ecosystem |url=https://gnet-research.org/2021/04/01/the-role-of-the-chans-in-the-far-right-online-ecosystem/ |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=GNET |language=en-GB |archive-date=2024-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312011441/https://gnet-research.org/2021/04/01/the-role-of-the-chans-in-the-far-right-online-ecosystem/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The perpetrator of the 2019 [[Bærum mosque shooting]] announced the attack on the website. The administrators claimed the thread was deleted immediately, and the site had its primary [[web ___domain]] taken offline following the attack.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-07 |title=8chan, 8kun, 4chan, Endchan: What you need to know |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/politics/8chan-8kun-4chan-endchan-what-you-need-to-know-internet-forums/ |access-date=2024-03-12 |publisher=CNET |language=en |archive-date=2024-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312011440/https://www.cnet.com/news/politics/8chan-8kun-4chan-endchan-what-you-need-to-know-internet-forums/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BBCNews2019-2">{{Cite news |date=2019-08-12 |title=Norway mosque attack: Bruised suspect Manshaus appears in court |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49318001 |access-date=2019-08-12 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=2019-08-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812212727/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49318001 |url-status=live }}</ref> The site has a message of "This is the End" displayed on it.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Liyanage |first=Chamila |date=2020-01-09 |title=Endchan: narratives of the Chanosphere |url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/countering-radical-right/endchan-narratives-chanosphere/ |access-date=2024-03-12 |work=Center for Analysis of the Radical Right |publisher=[[openDemocracy]] |language=en |archive-date=2024-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312011440/https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/countering-radical-right/endchan-narratives-chanosphere/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schattleitner |first=Christoph |date=2019-09-08 |title=Inside "Endchan": Im Maschinenraum des Rechtsterrors |url=https://kurier.at/chronik/oesterreich/inside-endchan-im-maschinenraum-des-rechtsterrors/400599095 |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=[[Kurier]] |language=de-AT |archive-date=2024-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312013049/https://kurier.at/chronik/oesterreich/inside-endchan-im-maschinenraum-des-rechtsterrors/400599095 |url-status=live }}</ref> Endchan has a /pol/ board, which was described as "eclectic" in its topic of discussions compared to similar boards on other imageboards. This was described as partially due to its obscurity relative to similar imageboards.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Variations on a Theme? Comparing 4chan, 8kun, and Other chans' Far-Right "/pol" Boards |url=https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/binaries/content/assets/customsites/perspectives-on-terrorism/2021/issue-1/baele-et-al.pdf |journal=[[Perspectives on Terrorism]] |language=en |volume=15 |issue=1 |access-date=2024-03-12 |archive-date=2024-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312011441/https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/binaries/content/assets/customsites/perspectives-on-terrorism/2021/issue-1/baele-et-al.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> It has been noted for its apocalyptic themes and far-right discussion of [[civilizational collapse]].<ref name=":2" />

420chan.org is an imageboard where people discuss [[recreational drug use]], [[professional wrestling]], [[politics]], [[philosophy]], and [[cross-dressing]], among other topics.<ref name="schoolthreat">[http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/05/15/all_clear.html?sid=101 High school gets the all clear, Security tightened at Upper Arlington; boy suspected in Web threat, Thursday, May 15, 2008 7:30 AM, By Martin Rozenman, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH] Retrieved May 15, 2008</ref>

=== Futaba Channel ===

In December 2006 and January 2007, [[Anonymous (group)|users of English-language imageboards]] attacked [[Hal Turner]]'s website through methods such as denial of service attacks; more advanced attacks were orchestrated through 420chan, and Turner's site remained offline or under fire for many months. Hal Turner redirected the traffic at one point to 420chan.org, causing its bandwidth to take a hit, which was quickly fixed by the administration.<ref name="jerseyjournal">{{cite news|last = Winston|first = Ali|title = 'Hate Host' is hacked| work = [[Jersey Journal]]| date = [[2007-01-08]]| url = http://www.nj.com/jjournal/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-0/116823968784040.xml&coll=3|accessdate = 2007-01-08 }}</ref><ref name="freep">{{cite web | url=http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070205/NEWS07/70205031/0/NEWS06 | publisher=freep.com | title=Cyber foes find ways to silence hate-talk radio host | accessdate=2007-02-28}}</ref><ref name="halemailnotice">{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20071027082018/http://www.halturnershow.com/HalTurnerRetaliatesForAttackOnRadioShow.html|title=Hal Turner Retaliates For Attack On Radio Show|publisher=Hal Turner|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref>

{{Main|Futaba Channel}}

''Futaba Channel'' ({{langx|ja|ふたば☆ちゃんねる}}), known as ''2chan'' for short, is an anonymous [[Bulletin board system|BBS]] and imageboard system based in Japan. Its boards usually do not distinguish between ''[[not safe for work]]'' and ''clean'' content, but there is a strict barrier between two-dimensional (drawn) and three-dimensional ([[computer graphics]] (CG) and photographic) pictures that is heavily enforced and debated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.2chan.net/|title=双葉ちゃん♪|website=2chan.net|access-date=29 July 2022|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427051744/https://www.2chan.net/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 711chanHispachan ===

Hispachan was an anonymous imageboard launched in November 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hispachan.org/historia/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161124120055/https://www.hispachan.org/historia/|url-status=dead|title=Hispachan's History|archive-date=24 November 2016|access-date=29 July 2022}}</ref> Running on a slightly modified version of Kusaba X, it was a global imageboard for all [[Hispanophone]]s. ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice Magazine]]'' described it as "a site for completely anonymous Spanish-language discussion that has proven popular among hackers since its launch in 2012."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tucker |first=Duncan |date=2015-12-10 |title=This Murder Has Exposed the Dark Side of Mexico's Hacking Community |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/this-murder-has-exposed-the-dark-side-of-mexicos-hacking-community/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027232013/https://news.vice.com/article/this-murder-has-exposed-the-dark-side-of-mexicos-hacking-community |archive-date=2017-10-27 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=VICE |language=en-US}}</ref> In January 2017, [[Colegio Americano del Noreste shooting|a school shooting in Monterrey, Mexico]] was previously announced on Hispachan.<ref>[http://www.excelsior.com.mx/nacional/2017/01/19/1140708 "Agresor en colegio de Monterrey pudo anunciar ataque en foro"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413060212/https://www.excelsior.com.mx/nacional/2017/01/19/1140708 |date=2021-04-13 }} Excelsior. {{in lang|es}}</ref> In a June 2019 article, Elena Rue of ''Vice'' Spain described various Hispachan threads as constituting "collaborative [[misogyny]]" for allowing the [[Intimate image abuse|dissemination of intimate images of women without their permission]] and [[online harassment]] of those objecting to their photos being shared.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morgue |first=Elena Rue |date=2019-06-20 |title=Hispachan: el foro español donde se difunden imágenes sexuales de mujeres y menores sin que nadie lo impida |url=https://www.vice.com/es/article/hispachan-fotos-sexuales-mujeres-twitter-machismo/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=VICE |language=es}}</ref> Despite online complaints by some women, the website is{{As of?|date=October 2024}} legal and, according to the administrator, "collaborates with the authorities as required by law."<ref>{{cite web|last=Vilajosana|first=Marc|title=Hispachan: la web donde se cuelgan fotos de mujeres desnudas sin su permiso|url=https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/Hispachan-fotos-pueden-ahi-sepas_0_921458204.html|work=eldiario.es|date=19 July 2019|access-date=10 August 2019|language=es|archive-date=20 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720155558/https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/Hispachan-fotos-pueden-ahi-sepas_0_921458204.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2022, Hispachan officially announced its closure on Twitter; it was temporarily available for a few days until all of its content was permanently deleted.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Hispachan|number=1531053620694659072 |title=Se anuncia el cierre de hispachan. Se podrá responder en la pagina hasta el 31 de mayo en la noche. De ahí permanecerá vivo hasta el 12 de junio pero cerrado. El 12 se eliminara toda la pagina y solo quedara un anuncio con enlaces y texto. Este es el futuro que eligieron.|date=29 May 2022|access-date=29 July 2022|lang=es}}</ref>

Much like 420chan.org, 711chan is an imageboard where people discuss many topics, ranging from [[hacking]] to [[recreational drug use]].

=== Indiachan ===

711chan is most well known for being one of the birth places of [[Project Chanology]] and originally endorsed the attacks on [[Scientology]], until their own site was hacked, at which point they voiced their concern about the way the attacks were being handled and committed 711chan to staying away from the attacks.<ref name="Wikinews">{{cite web|url=http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/%27The_Regime%27_hacks_711chan.org_in_response_to_%27Anonymous%27_attack_on_Scientology%3B_takes_web_site_off_line|title='The Regime' hacks 711chan.org in response to 'Anonymous' attack on Scientology; takes web site off line|publisher=wikinews|accessdate=2008-11-27}}</ref><ref name="Mens News Daily">{{cite web|url=http://mensnewsdaily.com/2008/01/28/711chanorg-administrators-call-for-an-end-to-attacks-on-scientology/|title=711chan.org administrators call for an end to attacks on Scientology|accessdate=2008-11-27}}</ref>

Indiachan was an anonymous Indian imageboard inspired by [[4chan]] and [[8chan]]. It was created in 2016 and shut down in 2024. It was known for hosting [[Hate speech in India|hate speech]], including [[Violence against Muslims in independent India|Islamophobia]], [[Caste-related violence in India|casteism]], and misogyny. The primary languages used were English and [[Hinglish]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mok |first=Benjamin |year=2022 |title=Exploring Hindutva Online Subculture |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/48676736 |journal=Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses |volume=14 |issue=3 |pages=9–16 |jstor=48676736 |issn=2382-6444 |access-date=2023-12-20 |archive-date=2023-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220054245/https://www.jstor.org/stable/48676736 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-04-20 |title=Freedom and taboos in the international ghettos of the web – OILab |url=https://oilab.eu/freedom-and-taboos-in-the-international-chanosphere/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |language=en-GB |archive-date=2023-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220054245/https://oilab.eu/freedom-and-taboos-in-the-international-chanosphere/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=The men who hate women: Inside the dark, angry world of Indian incels |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-plus/society-culture/the-men-who-hate-women-inside-the-dark-angry-world-of-indian-incels/articleshow/119342337.cms |access-date=2025-03-23 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Bharatchan emerged as its successor, which continues the imageboard for Indian users.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

=== Karachan ===

Karachan is the largest Polish imageboard at 30 million posts,{{When|date=October 2024}} founded in 2010, after its predecessors founded in the period between 2005 and 2010 (Tentacle-chan, Eris-chan, Vichan and then Tapchan, respectively) had shut down. Karachan has received attention from the Polish media after many [[trolling]] actions targeting Polish politicians,<ref>{{cite web|title=Koniec żartów z prezydenta Dudy. Policja przeszukała mieszkanie internauty. Prokuratura wszczęła śledztwo|url=http://wyborcza.pl/1,75398,19542714,koniec-zartow-z-prezydenta-dudy-policja-przeszukala-mieszkanie.html|website=Gazeta Wyborcza|access-date=9 January 2017|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225103126/https://wyborcza.pl/1,75398,19542714,koniec-zartow-z-prezydenta-dudy-policja-przeszukala-mieszkanie.html|url-status=live}}</ref> journalists<ref name="karaNaTemat">{{cite web|url=http://natemat.pl/149209,hejt-na-filipa-chajzera-to-zorganizowana-akcja-karachana-sprawia-im-to-ogromna-radosc|last=Świderski|first=Bartosz|work=NaTemat|title=Hejt na Filipa Chajzera to zorganizowana akcja Karachana. Sianie zamętu sprawia trollom największą przyjemność|access-date=2016-11-05|archive-date=2020-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708220927/https://natemat.pl/149209,hejt-na-filipa-chajzera-to-zorganizowana-akcja-karachana-sprawia-im-to-ogromna-radosc|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tak zaczęło się obrażanie zmarłego syna Chajzera: "To co, szkalujemy? ZIEJMY NIENAWIŚCIĄ!"|url=http://www.pudelek.pl/artykul/81607/tak_zaczelo_sie_obrazanie_zmarlego_syna_chajzera_to_co_szkalujemy_ziejmy_nienawiscia/|website=pudelek.pl|access-date=9 January 2017|language=pl-PL|date=22 July 2015|archive-date=20 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720185009/https://www.pudelek.pl/artykul/81607/tak_zaczelo_sie_obrazanie_zmarlego_syna_chajzera_to_co_szkalujemy_ziejmy_nienawiscia/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hejt pod wpisem Filipa Chajzera o śmierci syna to zaplanowana akcja. 'Karaczan wkracza do akcji'. A to nie wszystko|url=http://www.plotek.pl/plotek/1,138986,18400818,filip-chajzer-oglosil-na-fb-ze-stracil-syna-hejt-karaczan.html|website=plotek.pl|date=21 July 2015|access-date=9 January 2017|language=pl-PL|archive-date=20 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200120221315/http://www.plotek.pl/plotek/1,138986,18400818,filip-chajzer-oglosil-na-fb-ze-stracil-syna-hejt-karaczan.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Pope [[John Paul II]].<ref name="karaWyborcza">{{cite web|url=https://wyborcza.pl/duzyformat/1,127290,12102809,Trolle_i_zlewy.html|last=Chmielecka|first=Julia|work=Gazeta Wyborcza|title=Trolle i zlewy|access-date=2020-07-09|archive-date=2020-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200120175212/http://wyborcza.pl/duzyformat/1,127290,12102809,Trolle_i_zlewy.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite web|title=Trolling level: master. To Karachan stoi za filmikiem "Mój sąsiad imigrant"|url=http://natemat.pl/154979,trolling-level-master-to-karachan-stoi-za-filmikiem-moj-sasiad-imigrant|website=naTemat.pl|access-date=9 January 2017|archive-date=8 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708162025/https://natemat.pl/154979,trolling-level-master-to-karachan-stoi-za-filmikiem-moj-sasiad-imigrant|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Scenariusz jak z horroru w Rybniku. Ktoś włamał się na konto zabitej 17-latki i straszy pół miasta. Psychopata czy żart?|url=http://damianmaliszewski.natemat.pl/229763,morderstwo-17-letniej-alicji-f-haker-podaje-alfabetem-morse-a-nazwiska-osob-zamieszanych-w-zbrodnie-thriller-w-rybniku-trwa|website=naTemat.pl|access-date=25 May 2018|archive-date=4 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804225029/http://damianmaliszewski.natemat.pl/229763,morderstwo-17-letniej-alicji-f-haker-podaje-alfabetem-morse-a-nazwiska-osob-zamieszanych-w-zbrodnie-thriller-w-rybniku-trwa|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tak wyglądała ostatnia noc Alicji|url=https://www.nowiny.pl/142151-tak-wygladala-ostatnia-noc-alicji.html?f8c520cf9300a264d96947d129db9f40=&p=3#content|website=nowiny.pl|access-date=21 August 2018|archive-date=20 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720185008/https://www.nowiny.pl/142151-tak-wygladala-ostatnia-noc-alicji.html?f8c520cf9300a264d96947d129db9f40=&p=3#content|url-status=live}}</ref> As of July 2019, the site consists of a (Polish-language) faux page claiming the site is "blocked" due to "invalid content". However, a manual is known to exist, informing how to enter the actual forum and browse its contents.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jak wejść na Karachan|date=19 October 2019|url=https://www.facebook.com/jakwejsc/photos/a.1602552680000935/1725491637707038/?type=1&theater|website=facebook.com/jakwejsc/|access-date=19 October 2019|language=pl-PL|archive-date=4 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804053904/https://www.facebook.com/jakwejsc/photos/a.1602552680000935/1725491637707038/?type=1&theater|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=August 2024}} Its name comes from the Polish word ''karaczan'', which means ''[[cockroach]]'', an insect that is used as Karachan's logo.

=== Krautchan ===

''Krautchan'' was a mainly German-language imageboard, founded in 2007.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Reißmann |first1=Ole |last2=Stöcker |first2=Christian |date= 20 February 2012|title=We are Anonymous: Die Maske des Protests - Wer sie sind, was sie antreibt ... |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CkSzMbl-VsAC&q=krautchan&pg=PT22 |page=22 |publisher=Goldmann Verlag |isbn= 9783641083748|access-date=28 March 2015 }}</ref><ref name="krautchan2007">{{cite web|url=http://krautchan.net/|title=Krautchan|date=May 15, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515042126/http://krautchan.net/ |archive-date=2007-05-15 }}</ref> The name is an allusion to the [[ethnophaulism]] ''[[Kraut]]'' for Germans. Unlike most imageboards, postings on Krautchan were not published under the generic name "Anonymous"; the German name "[[Bernd]]" was used instead, and the Krautchan community identified themselves as "Bernds" instead of "Anons". In 2009, after the [[Winnenden school shooting]], the interior minister of [[Baden-Württemberg]] cited a post on the imageboard in a press conference that appeared to forewarn of the shooting, but was later found to be fake.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/massacre-in-winnenden-school-shooting-internet-post-a-fake-a-613085.html |title=Massacre in Winnenden: School Shooting Internet Post a Fake |work=Der Spiegel |date=March 13, 2009 |access-date=March 28, 2015 |archive-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720185008/https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/massacre-in-winnenden-school-shooting-internet-post-a-fake-a-613085.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Roth |first=Daniel |title=Zündstoff für den "Columbine-Effekt"? Die Berichterstattung über School Shootings in deutschen Print- und Online-Medien |year=2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A2z-uCuUkuwC&q=krautchan&pg=PA116 |page=116 |publisher=LIT Verlag Münster |isbn=9783643113948 |access-date=28 March 2015 |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804053858/https://books.google.com/books?id=A2z-uCuUkuwC&q=krautchan&pg=PA116#v=snippet&q=krautchan&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/03/12/germany.school.shooting.women/ |title=German police now question whether killer posted warning |publisher=CNN |date=March 12, 2009 |access-date=March 28, 2015 |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708181344/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/03/12/germany.school.shooting.women/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Like most imageboards, it had /a/, /b/, /jp/, /x/ and /tv/ boards; it ran on the Desuchan board software.<ref name="krautchan2010">{{cite web|url=http://krautchan.net/|date=December 25, 2010|title=Krautchan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225210453/http://krautchan.net/ |archive-date=2010-12-25 }}</ref>

Krautchan.net is a german imageboard where people discuss topics like [[anime]] and local topics. The imageboard gained much popularity due to the [[Winnenden school shooting]]. The worldwide media claimed that [[Tim Kretschmer]] made a post in which he announced his killings.

=== ReferencesPonychan ===

{{See also|Online communities of the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom}}

{{reflist|2}}

Founded in February 2011 following the temporary ban of pony content on [[4chan]],<ref name="Schimpf-2015">{{cite journal |last=Schimpf |first=Kaitlyn Elizabeth |title=Straight from the Horse's Mouth: A Case Study on the Adult Male Fans of My Little Pony |journal=MacEwan University Student eJournal |volume=2 |issue=1 |date=October 2015 |doi=10.31542/j.muse.192|doi-access=free }}</ref> Ponychan was one of the earliest dedicated imageboards for the [[brony fandom]].<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Mullis |first=Justin P |title=Playing Ponies: A Critical Evaluation of Religious Elements and Gender Politics at Work in "Brony" Fandom |type=MA thesis |publisher=University of North Carolina at Charlotte |___location=Charlotte |year=2015 |department=Religious Studies}}</ref> The rapid growth of pony-related content on 4chan, which increased from 200 to 6000 posts per day between October 2010 and February 2011, and the persistent backlash and resentment from non-brony 4chan users, contributed to the need for a dedicated space.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Jones |first=Bethan |title=My Little Pony, tolerance is magic: Gender policing and Brony anti-fandom |journal=Journal of Popular Television |volume=3 |issue=1 |year=2015 |pages=119–125 |doi=10.1386/jptv.3.1.119_1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Cooper |first=Caren |title=Citizen Science: How Ordinary People are Changing the Face of Discovery |publisher=ABRAMS, Incorporated |date=December 20, 2016 |isbn=9781468314144 |page=115}}</ref> The site was created by former 4chan users seeking a space where they could freely discuss ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]]'' without 4chan restrictions.<ref name="Schimpf-2015"/> According to American essayist Bill Ellis writing in ''[[The Journal of American Folklore]]'', despite its role as an early community hub, Ponychan developed a reputation for restrictive moderation policies and heavy censorship.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Ellis |first=Bill |title=What Bronies See When They Brohoof: Queering Animation on the Dark and Evil Internet |journal=[[The Journal of American Folklore]] |volume=128 |issue=509 |year=2015 |pages=298–314 |doi=10.5406/jamerfolk.128.509.0298}}</ref> Despite this criticism, in 2011, Jill Morris noted that Ponychan fostered a positive community culture with the motto "love and tolerate" in response to conflict, and became a notable creative hub where some fan-created content was later incorporated into official show materials.<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Morris |first=Jill |title=Gender and Race, Online Communities, and Composition Classrooms |type=PhD dissertation |publisher=Wayne State University |___location=Detroit |year=2011 |pages=170–173}}</ref>

Ponychan shut down in January 2024. The site administrators published a farewell statement announcing the closure and noting that archives of the website would remain accessible, with the administrators acknowledging that dedicated spaces for different forms of media and subcommunities had evolved beyond the imageboard format.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.equestriadaily.com/2024/01/ponychan-releases-final-statement-as.html|title=Ponychan Releases Final Statement as Doors Close|first=Shaun|last=Scotellaro|website=[[Equestria Daily]]|date=2024-01-08|access-date=2025-05-19}}</ref>

=== Soyjak.party ===

{{Expand Russian|Soyjak.party|date=April 2025}}

''Soyjak.party'' (also known as ''The Party'' or ''The Sharty'') is an imageboard website primarily dedicated to the creation and posting of [[Soyjak|soyjak images]]. The website was created in 2020 as a joke by [[pseudonym]]ous 4chan user ''Soot'', who (according to a later blog post) "intended the forum to be a joke" and "didn't expect it to become such a popular gathering place". The imageboard noticeably grew in popularity in late 2021, after 4chan closed its /qa/ board, which, despite its name (Questions and Answers), served as the ''de facto'' home of the 4chan soyjak community.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailydot.com/memes/soyjak-meme/ |title=The sad origins and redemption of the Soyjak meme |last=Weedston |first=Lindsey |date=July 12, 2024 |website=The Daily Dot |publisher= |access-date=August 4, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717083153/https://www.dailydot.com/memes/soyjak-meme/ |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |quote= }}</ref>

The site has been linked to the [[2023 Jacksonville shooting]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Unsound Minds – Folio 2.0 / EU Jacksonville |url=https://folioweekly.com/2024/10/30/unsound-minds/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=folioweekly.com|date=October 30, 2024 }}</ref><ref name="Jacksonville">{{cite web |last1=Waters |first1=T.K. |title=4 Manifesto - 2023 |url=https://jacksonvilleso.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(xc53blby3bgrhdrijxpcyw1n))/BusinessDisplay.aspx?sSessionID=&did=61&cat=0 |website=Public Records Center |publisher=Jacksonville Sheriff's Office |access-date=25 April 2025}}</ref> and the 2025 [[Antioch High School shooting]], with the [[Anti-Defamation League]] describing it as a "far-right reactionary imageboard filled with crude racist and antisemitic humor".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Antioch, Tenn., Shooter Inspired by Broad Extremist Beliefs and Previous Mass Killers {{!}} ADL |url=https://www.adl.org/resources/article/antioch-tenn-shooter-inspired-broad-extremist-beliefs-and-previous-mass-killers |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=www.adl.org |language=en}}</ref>

The site has also been linked to the [[4chan#2020s|2025 4chan hack]], where a user from the imageboard allegedly hacked the website, reopening the /qa/ board,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nefedova |first1=Maria |title=4chan вышел из строя из-за масштабной атаки |url=https://xakep.ru/2025/04/16/4chan-hacked/ |access-date=26 April 2025 |agency=Xakep.ru |ref=Xakep}}</ref><ref name="Gazeta">{{cite news |last1=Kidlyushkin |first1=Roman |title=Хакеры вывели из строя культовый сайт с мемами 4chan |url=https://www.gazeta.ru/tech/news/2025/04/16/25570406.shtml |access-date=26 April 2025 |agency=Gazeta |date=16 April 2025}}</ref> and leaking 4chan's source code, IP addresses, and email addresses of its staff.<ref name="Hack1">{{cite news |last1=Niemietz |first1=Brian |title=Hackers take credit for attacking 4chan platform |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/04/15/4chan-hacked-down-soyjak-party/ |access-date=17 April 2025 |agency=New York Daily News |date=15 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="Hack2">{{cite news |last1=Nitish Bajaj |first1=Yash |title=4Chan data, emails and contact info leaked? Alleged hack leads to speculations |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/4chan-data-emails-and-contact-info-leaked-alleged-soyjack-party-sharty-hack-leads-to-speculations-101744730795998.html |access-date=17 April 2025 |agency=Hindustan Times |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=15 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="Hack3">{{cite news |last1=Burgess |first1=Matt |last2=Newman |first2=Lily |title=Suspected 4chan Hack Could Expose Longtime, Anonymous Admins |url=https://www.wired.com/story/2025-4chan-hack-admin-leak/ |access-date=17 April 2025 |agency=Wired |publisher=Wired}}</ref> 4chan went offline after the hack, but has since come back online.<ref name="TOI">{{cite news |last1=TOI Tech Desk |title=4chan down days after hackers breach internal systems: Here's what happened to the notorious internet messageboard |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/news/4chan-down-days-after-hackers-breach-internal-systems-here-s-what-happened-to-the-notorious-internet-messageboard/ar-AA1DoCLl |access-date=26 April 2025 |agency=The Times of India |publisher=MSN |date=22 April 2025}}</ref>

=== Wizardchan ===

''Wizardchan'' was an imageboard primarily dedicated to male culture and topics including anime, hobbies, and depression. Users on the depression board often discussed suicide or [[self-harm]], and a controversy emerged in the board's community about whether to refer users to [[crisis hotline|suicide prevention hotlines]].<ref name="slateWizards">{{cite web|last=Hess|first=Amanda|date=3 March 2015|work=Slate|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/users/2015/03/reddit_and_suicide_intervention_how_social_media_is_changing_the_cry_for.html|title=Please Do Not Downvote Anyone Who's Asked for Help|access-date=17 December 2015|archive-date=9 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009155003/http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/users/2015/03/reddit_and_suicide_intervention_how_social_media_is_changing_the_cry_for.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[OekakiAnonymous (group)]]

* [[Reddit]]

* [[Textboard]]

== References ==

{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==

{{Wiktionary|booru}}

*[http://1chan.net/overchan Overchan] (a directory of English-language imageboards)

* https://booru.org/

*[http://shii.org/2ch/ Overchan V.2] (an imageboard portal)

* [https://danbooru.donmai.us/ danbooru.donmai.us]

*[http://wakaba.c3.cx/soc/ The Society for the Study of Modern Image Board Culture]

* {{GitHub|danbooru/danbooru}}

{{Anonymous and the_Internetthe Internet}}

{{Internet slang}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Imageboards| ]]

[[Category:Internet forum terminology]]

[[Category:Internet culture]]

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