I have greatly benefited from online discussion platforms, especially related to programming and computer hardware.
Now, I would like to name a few of them so that you may get to know what you did not know previously:
good for getting/giving technical help and recommendations for hardware:
overclockers.com
extremely helpful platform if interested in programming:
dreamincode forums
stackoverflow
more general:
straightdope
etiquette hell
I am also interested in getting to know what you find helpful and interesting. 