My reply is more about fora.

The sooner the better, i think your membership will grow quickly

Just maket it better than sharecafe. The challenge is to put it on par with HotCopper. You might think that's a low hudle, but they have the numbers.

I think there is some software for group fora, Atlassian (sharecafe?), Zoteria (public domain) which you could modify.

What's wrong with HC.

1. trolls, uprampers and down rampers. Your structure of requiring taking a position in any stock you recommend is an advantage, but needs to be atached to being able writing in any forum pertaining to a stock. So if youare an upper or downer it shows in your performance.

2. Moderation criteria. 100% on topic or out. It is very hard to discuss important issues like shorting which are both particualr to a stock and market wide.. PS how do you do that here?

Valuation criteria in general. Investopedia, Simply Wall st? as generic topics, some commentators.

3. Regarding emails to another member not such a good idea, friendships fold and then there is baiting and flaming on your forum. If there is a shared say gmail account registered then those communications have to be OUTSIDE the main forum. click on a button and go to gmail and do it there.

We don't presently have this functionality -- but it's on our wish list for future enhancements.