Forums is often used as a way to either suggest new ideas for the server or to appeal mutes, bans, or blacklists (and these are private, so other players can't see these). There is not really any point to chat on Forums when there are numerous other ways to do so. Since there are only so many good suggestions players can make at any time, this limits the messages posted. Maybe Forums would be more 'alive' if staff hosted Server Votes from time-to-time on certain things, like resets, updates/new content, etc.