The Somethingawful Forums have been a great example of how to run a community for over 20 years. There's a subforum for pretty much everything. That being said,

The Somethingawful Forums have been a great example of how to run a community for over 20 years. There's a subforum for pretty much everything. That being said, it's absolutely not for everybody and it can be immensely difficult to figure out the culture and how to fit into it. I wouldn't have my job, house or partner if it weren't for them though!