Hello Richard,

Let me simplify your question:

1. A bit confused though regarding how well it will work as platform for a larger forum that involves multiple posters to each thread. I can see how it works well as a support forum where questions are primarily answered by website staff. Will it work well as a "normal" forum with discussions that may go on and on.
>>> I so sorry, but I quite not understand what do you mean by "work well as a "normal" forum with discussions that may go on and on" but I believe this is not the issue with EasyDiscuss.

2. Videos can be included in EasyDiscuss?
>>> Yes. It is possible to include embedded video in EasyDiscuss.

3. I will be posting instructional videos that I may post in random order as I complete them, but will need a way to organize them into categories as I progress. I want users to have the ability to post questions directly to each video.
>>> I am quite not understand what are you trying to achieve here. Can you explain more so that we are able to assist you on this issue.

4. If it is possible, would be to have a section of the open forums for posting videos - IF this section could be set up so only an administrator can start new threads.
>>> Yes this is possible to be done. In each category you need to set the permission to each user group.

5. The rest of the forums should allow any registered user to start a thread.
>>> Yes. Please refer to no 4.

6. Any known issues regarding migrating a forum from Kunena to EasyDiscuss if the threads include quite a few attachments - photos, videos, PDFs, etc.?
>>> One of known issue Kunena to EasyDiscuss is error in emoticon in which Kunena have settings for emoticon customization and EasyDiscuss only use bbcode emoticon.

7. Any known integration issues with either of these programs? Template from JoomlaXTC, HikaShop for my online store, and Ohanah for event management.

8. Users will have only one login for entire site, correct?
>>> Yes. Absolutely

Thank you for replying so quickly and for answering the majority of my questions. My apologies for not making some of my questions more clear.

1. A bit confused though regarding how well it will work as platform for a larger forum that involves multiple posters to each thread. I can see how it works well as a support forum where questions are primarily answered by website staff. Will it work well as a "normal" forum with discussions that may go on and on.
>>> I so sorry, but I quite not understand what do you mean by "work well as a "normal" forum with discussions that may go on and on" but I believe this is not the issue with EasyDiscuss.

--- Some of the things I have read about EasyDiscuss say that it is perfect for a Q&A program or for customer support forums. Someone asks a question. The question is answered. The thread stops. I saw an example of EasyDiscuss in use that included an option like, "Issue Resolved" or "Question Answered". But as I see this thread with you it is now obvious to me that it really does work like a forum, too, so I think that question is answered.

3. I will be posting instructional videos that I may post in random order as I complete them, but will need a way to organize them into categories as I progress. I want users to have the ability to post questions directly to each video.
>>> I am quite not understand what are you trying to achieve here. Can you explain more so that we are able to assist you on this issue.

--- Your answers to my other questions resolved this question as well. If I understand EasyDiscuss correctly, I can set up a forum category for the instructional videos with sub-categories for each workshop, then post the lessons under those sub-categories. I can set the categories up so only I can start new threads. I will put the videos in those threads and allow other users to post questions to the videos.

6. Any known issues regarding migrating a forum from Kunena to EasyDiscuss if the threads include quite a few attachments - photos, videos, PDFs, etc.?
>>> One of known issue Kunena to EasyDiscuss is error in emoticon in which Kunena have settings for emoticon customization and EasyDiscuss only use bbcode emoticon.

I understand. The emoticons are not a big issue for me.

NEW QUESTION ...

One of the things I like about EasyDiscuss when trying demos is that entering a subject for a new post brought up a list of threads that already exist. We always have a problem with our forums -- a question is asked and discussed. Then sometime later the same question is asked again because users don't search first to see if the answer they seek is already there. If the threads from the old forum are migrated to EasyDiscuss, will they be "indexed" in some way to be included in this kind of thread search?

I have now purchased both EasySocial and EasyDiscuss. :-)

Hello Richard,

I am sorry for the late reply.
Regarding

old forum are migrated to EasyDiscuss, will they be "indexed" in some way to be included in this kind of thread search?

I believe the migrated forum it will be indexed in EasyDiscuss. No worries.

If you have anymore question, please don't hesitate to ask us.
Hope this will help.
Thanks.