Journals? How has it affected your community?

[Kathy]

I've had requests for a journal forum...and I'd keep it simple.

But I've run the idea past some of my admin/mods and a few were hesitant.

fearing we couldn't censor content (i'd require the journal is TOS compliant)
fearing it wouldn't benefit the site but make more work
fearing that once we started it, we couldn't pull it off if it causes a mess.

So, what I'm wondering....

Does anyone have any feedback about journals within your vb? I was thinking of:

1. Making it a forum (not a stand along journal)
2. Using the simple hack that forces the thread name to be "Username's Journal"
3. Allows only one thread per user
4. Allowing this as a benefit of my paid subscribers only (I was thinking this might increase member subscribers since its a good benefit/feature)
5. Allowing ONLY the user to reply (no general comments or replies within their personal journal)

Pros? Cons?

What am I missing? i think this could be a great benefit to our established community since our community is based on support during a tough time in their lives. Any drawbacks for those of you who have journals?

I've seen teen journals who allow replies and quite frankly that wouldn't work for us. Volatile replies, ugly comments doesn't encourage posting IMHO. I woudln't go for the "most entries in their journal list" because we aren't about compeition. It would be about personal reflection.

Input? thanks!