The whole mailing list idea is so "1990's"

Is there interest in having a nice Message Forum instead of the mailing list?  Viewing threaded items, Searching, seeing what’s new and what’s hot, etc?

I have a hosting server with the capacity to host a forum site in ASP.NET or PHP and MS Sql Server.  I am willing to purchase the software (if it is not public domain) and maintain it on my server if people like the idea.  I just don't want to throw down a couple hundred $ for nothing. 

Sean