[Slashcode-general] Slashcode + full forum

[T. J. B. <end...@gm...>]

I want to create a community portal with stories on the front page,
and yet also have a full forum integrated where users can create
threads of their own (that don't show as stories on the front).

In many ways, I want the front portal to operate exactly like
Slashdot, so perhaps Slashcode is the best place to start. Then again,
an existing Wordpress/phpbb stack might be the way to go. I'm looking
for a little advice.

* I want each category to be accessible via a subdomain. Slashcode
does this. I believe I can do this with Wordpress-mu, which multiple
blogs existing as each "category".
* I want users to be able to configure which categories show up on the
front page for them. Slashcode does this, but I don't believe I can do
this with Wordpress.
* I want Slashcode-style moderation. This is a very unique and
fantastic feature. Obviously, only Slashcode does this.
* Wordpress has a bevy of themes and extensions so I can better
customize the appearance how I want. With Slashcode, I'd need to get
my hands a little dirty.
* There is existing code to easily integrate Wordpress with phpbb.

And the end of the day, I'm wondering if it would be easier to either:

1 - Write a nice sexy, customized theme for Slashcode (I'm thinking of
trying to integrate some HTML5/canvas features to try and push people
into using newer browsers), and integrate phpbb to use Slashcode's
user tables and cookies.
2 - Twist wordpress-mu into displaying multiple categories the way
Slashdot does, and write a Slashcode-style moderation system from
scratch.

At first glance, the first option seems simpler. However, I'd like to
go one step further and carry the moderation points and democratic
moderation into user-created threads in the forums. So ultimately, it
may mean writing a Slashcode-style moderation system in phpbb either
way I go. Or perhaps there is a third option.

3 - Extend the Slashcode base to include a proper forum. Users can
make journal entries, but what if there was a traditional forum?
Writing a full forum from scratch can't be easy, however, there are
some existing GPL Perl forum software packages that could possibly be
integrated.

At the very least, I'm hoping for some advice at what the best
approach may be. Additionally, I certainly wouldn't mind help if there
are interested parties in working on such a project.

Thanks!

-- T. J. Brumfield
"I'm questioning my education
Rewind and what does it show?
Could be, the truth it becomes you
I'm a seed, wondering why it grows"
-- Pearl Jam, Education