When looking for valid e-business models, just take a look at what works and who is making it work. Most successful Web sites encourage visitor participation and feedback in discussion forums. The highest ratings earn more business. People read those reviews and appreciate them. Personalization and community building are incorporated into all of the major portals.
Discussion forums are available at every one of the major online publishers.
America Online pioneered community building and was rewarded with rapid growth and customer loyalty. I believe AOL has lost its way now as greed leads it to keep a fence around its technology, refusing to allow its AIM instant messaging system to be accessed by non-members. As long as old ideas are applied to the Web, it will go nowhere. Napster was killed by the Greed Monster. Scarcity doesn't work online.