Forums - Open or Closed?

[ImaginAsian]

Members...

Another poll to see if we should open up our forums instead of requiring registration to view all areas of the forum.

Currently, we require registration to view all forums. Guests can currently see three forums:

Usenet Hardware
Usenet Software
Memorial

Should we do away with a closed forum registration process, keep things the same, or open up the forums for viewing but posting requires registration?

The Viper Room Forum will always remain a closed forum with entrance by karma/post levels.

[Case]

I would open up all the tech forums, and keep General Mayhem and BitBender Forums (except the memorial) sections closed, and make a requirement to join if you want to post. But open it up.

[ImaginAsian]

I agree with you Case! We do need to get the tech forums more "buzzing" though if we are going to use those areas as teasers to get folks to join up.

[BitBender]

My baby does the hanky panki

My babi does the hanky panki

Hmm.. I voted to show more, but not all. We will ALWAYS require that people be members to post, except in the usenet areas.

[Pigflipper]

Personally I think that the VIP room should have stricter entrance regulations since we are getting more and more members. Wouldn't be very VIPish if people only need a few weeks to get in.

[Tuffie]

I voted to allow the quests to see more of the regular forums,but I sure agree that to post,they have to become a member.I recall one forum that allowed posting for quests,and it needed a full time cop to delete obscene posts.Most were either just trouble makers,or a previously banned member causing problems.

[Alakazam]

I voted for the semi option, could possibly generate some more tech info from those looking around.

[Quadophile]

Voted semi-open.

Classic examples of stupid and idiotic posts can be found on www.neoseeker.com Forums. Even guests are allowed to post who remain "Anonymous". In my opinion the credibility of such posts is "ZERO". In a single session you can find almost 2000 people logged in. The average age of the members is below 20!

I certainly do not wish BBT to be like that.

[floppybootstomp]

I reckon open the whole lot up, apart from the Viper Room.

Of course you'd have to be a member with a valid e-mail address to post.

I figure we have a unique bunch of personalities here, peeps figuring whether to join could see we're not all serious if they took a peek at the Village Idiot section.

I really don't know what the big deal is about having to lean more towards tech stuff. Sure, that's the main function of the Forum, but ain't it fun to sort of socialise when it's a bit quiet? At least that keeps the Forum active.

Those who know the crap I suffered at another Forum from a certain Mr High & Mighty for being active in their 'Off Topic' section a bit too much for his liking will know where I'm coming from.

Man, I really don't get off on being told to act serious all the time. That stuff's for grown-ups, and I've never trusted them. :D

Woops, strayed a little off topic there, didn't I? I feel I may be a lone voice here, but that's how I feel, so now ya know :)

[AmStoned]

I give up... Hey Watermark, I have that CD, well, I have the whole collection... wait, I didn't say that.

Now, back to I give up. If you want people to feel welcome, you gotta open up the forum. Must admit it will attract trouble makers, but that's what the mods are for...

[Quadophile]

Originally posted by AmStoned
Must admit it will attract trouble makers, but that's what the mods are for...

We have mods and we can also have some of the members who help the mods do their job when we open the forums just for few weeks so as to cope with the rush. These members should not have any title and should be allocated few forums for the sole purpose of helping the mod.

[Darcy]

Hmmm. Not here that long, but i voted the Semi option. i'm figuring opening up more of the tech areas would definitely be a good thing, giving guests more accessibility to see what's offered in addition to the Usenet Hangout. Posting privileges should come with registration. I don't know, floppybootstomp, i sort of lean a bit towards your way as well. Dont' know if General Mayhem in its entirety should be open, but i'm thinking one forum definitely could be. We're not dead driftwood here, we gotta show some life. :)

Well, that's my 2 copper's worth, anyway.

[Techvillage]

I agree with u Flopps!!! :)

Let the folks see we have a sense of humour - it will also help explain the post titles - which I voted to keep as is!

Keep - Viper as invitation only.

[ImaginAsian]

Originally posted by AmStoned
Must admit it will attract trouble makers, but that's what the mods are for...

Why create needless work and crisis by inviting trouble in the first place?

I think one reason why we have so few crisis and troublemakers is because we "filter" them out to begin with. I guees its pick your poison...be popular and have to police more or be less popular and police less :)

[floppybootstomp]

The question you have to ask is - would opening up the Forum for viewing all sections attract troublemakers? With all respect to the Stoney one, we only have his view that it would.

It doesn't seem to bother many other Forums much, except where they gotta loadda lamebrains posting provocatively.

And I repeat, to post, members should be registered with a valid e-mail address.

I've never been really happy with a closed (for the most part) Forum. I figure it may have even cost us membership, some peeps want to take a look around before they sign up.

Just my point of view. Vive le debate! :)

[AmStoned]

Okay, I'll revise what I said. Open all forums except, General Mayhem and BitBender Forums .

[ImaginAsian]

Originally posted by floppybootstomp
And I repeat, to post, members should be registered with a valid e-mail address.

Ahhh therein lies the equalizer...yep you is right. Let's open up the forums at least the tech side of it for people to take a peek.

Well on second thought, our general mayhem is pretty unique with the People's Court...could also be a tickler...hmm..

[floppybootstomp]

I'd still like to open up the whole lot (excepting viper room) for visitors to view.

Perhaps a two week trial could be tried?

[whipat]

I voted semi open, but like Flops said, maybe a 2 week trial?


Pat

[026TB4U]

I've been studying for finals this week and used the school library to check in on the forum. Man, non-members don't get much and like Spezi said, it is costing us members. I don't think I would ever join a forum unless I had a look around and liked what I saw. And with the way it is atm, you can't do that.

So I voted semi-open, viper off limits so we don't scare them off too quickly :D

[BitBender]

You've about convinced me gang !! I cannot even remember why we did that in the first place now, but I'm sure it was a stupid idea that I had....or, maybe just had the opposite effect that I intended! :dunno:

Ok, Two week trial Sounds pretty good !!

Spezi, Thanks for your perspective!! I have a "hack" that allows guests to view five threads, any five threads and, then, present the register screen, but after all the comments, well, it just doesn't seem worth it, especially if that sort of process hinders members joining the board.

[TJM4FUN]

Semi Open is fine. We can always open up more if things go well, or even restrict it if it does not.

I think originally, it was closed to keep certain people from another board from causing trouble, but that should be long dead as they only have the attention span of a gnat anyway!

Bring on the masses!

[muckshifter]

Give the members something to do ... open up the forum ... if you need a special room "for the boys" then make one. :sarcastic

I'm afraid to say it, but then I think I have the forum at heart, if you do not "open up" then this place will dwindle into obscurity. At the moment I spend more time elsewhere than here. :(

Come on get your finger out ... Vote. ;)

[BitBender]

thas all I'm waiting for, mucks, but good lord, man, why didn't you say something before?

Done! All except the BBF administration, and viper room, are now public view

[muckshifter]

:emb:

[Montana]

We're not yet that popular to restrict admittance!

I vote to open ALL the forums for reading but NO posting unless they register. Reading the various forums usually leads someone to WANT to post a response to show off their knowledge, humor, or appreciation for knowledge shared. That doesn't happen if you're restricted to a few posts. Of course this is only my personal experience. The only forums I have ever joined have been because I could explore them for awhile before deciding to join. BBF was never in that category. If it weren't for IA et al giving 911 crap, I never would have found my way here or bothered to register on my own just to read yet another computer site.

It took me over a year of reading PC911 to join (they allowed guest posts, I posted one, received positive feedback, then joined after they changed their requirement to no guest posts. Being able to read them made a huge difference in my decision.

My experience, burp.

[AmStoned]

:hehe: Even the villiage idiots huh? This is going to be great. I better lower my post count before people think I'm nuts for real.

[Montana]

Originally posted by AmStoned
:hehe: Even the villiage idiots huh? This is going to be great. I better lower my post count before people think I'm nuts for real.

sigh, that make two of us.

[floppybootstomp]

Originally posted by AmStoned
:hehe: Even the villiage idiots huh? This is going to be great. I better lower my post count before people think I'm nuts for real.

You mean you're not nuts for real? Damn, sorry man, I got you figured out all wrong after all this time then.

Hello, Mr Normal, above average IQ, sports a nice pair of checkered pants :D

[James]

I saw a post at Ichhcrontic "Bits place is open" or something like that,I really don't remember.

Muck's,had sent me an e-mail the day before,inviting me to have a "look" at the new place he called home (we were both wandering ,homeless,)because of the major crash PCREVIEW had fallen to.

if i had been unable to read all the posts,i never would have taken the time to register and then have a look,even though the forum was reccomended by my older brother "MUCK"

I'm not worried what kind of members this may bring,WE CAN handle ,any situation!Because we are TIGHT from the get go!

Just my 2 pence.

[BitBender]

Originally posted by James
I'm not worried what kind of members this may bring,WE CAN handle ,any situation!Because we are TIGHT from the get go!


:rasta::Ghug::rasta:Word, James, Word!:rasta::Ghug::rasta:

[Tuffie]

Well I feel sure we'll see an increase in guests,and hopefully that will lead to more member's.Most of the time the so called trouble makers can be spotted pretty fast.As James said,the regular group is tight.If we have the need,I'm sure some of us can be put on BBF Patrolmen :lol:

[KaraK]

I think that the closed policy at the start gave us chance to get this group as tight as it is so we are mature enough as a forum to handle any problems without falling apart.

:Ghug:

[vixxen]

Ok, Im ultra new! I voted for the forums to be open, but register to post. Im sure peeps wont sign up to a board if they cant see what its all about. Although i did:emb: But damn, in for a penny in for a pound!

Best thing i done yet on the "WWW" is join BBF
:Tong: :D (now gimme some karma!):eyes: LOL:lol:

[ImaginAsian]

The voices have spoken for a semi-open forum with registration for posting. Thanks for your votes!