Let Some Guests Come In

[Layzie Bone]

Guests cannot post in any forum at all, I know some of you think that is a good thing. Of course I don't think they should post in OT or anything like that, but News, Sugguestions and Support forums, the thing is we need to show them why they should register, by showing them that we're helpful and we want you to join the community. This will upmostly help the support sections on this site, they are lacking compared to a lot of other forums.

[quicksilver]

Theres a good reason for not allowing guest posts, usually there a mish mash of swearing and other nasty items and I for one dont have 24 hours to guard the forum.
I cite Vladds or 2SN as an example of how forums can turn into "adult only" areas
The increase in membership recently shows that ppl are in fact joining the forum and a look around will show you they are posting too.

This will upmostly help the support sections on this site, they are lacking compared to a lot of other forums.

Lacking in regards to what ? People to help ?
I help on other forums besides this one Wannabe and there not so busy either just yet.
I,m all for community just not anarchy.

[Layzie Bone]

well we can see what happens, i can't say that it wouldn't happen, but i dont think it will, the site is unique, i don't think it'll turn into a mess, you dont allow guests to post in all forums. Also if it is evident, like it's sticking out like a neon light, that a guest is posting very often and has not registered then you ban them, that may not be the favor for everyone.

Where do you see the community here? Surely isn't in the help forums, but in the members only section, the off topic forum, it is reaching around 20,000 posts. Yeah, I'd say we have a great community, but i see it as somewhat isolated, because if I first saw this site, how do I know what the people are like? and why would I want to join? If I had a problem with WinMX lets say, eventhough I would probably find Vladd, Slyck, and Filebreech before hand, but lets just say I wound up here, I couldn't ask any questions here because I have to register, and I don't want to wait for an e-mail, and the people who do register to get thier question answered they'll never come back, thus we have a bunch of 0 post users. That's what happened to filebreech when vulpes made it users only, but that was because there were a few trouble makers, and I did say few, that site had 2000+ registered users. When I first registered at WinMXCommunity in April 2003, the site was thriving, and i thought it was awesome, I mean I saw clearly that the spirit of the site was great. I don't know why at that time everything was going great, I dont know if I had anything to do with the degration of things there, but for a site that had the amount of traffic, probably not. But my point was if you were able to look at posts from that time on Filebreech, you would be able to see what I was talking about. I think at a certain point there has to be a cut off point, I think WinMXCommunity was a little late at doing it, it did fix the little things, but then the database fills up, 2000 users were cut, not because these people were bad, but because they registered and never posted, or posted 1 time.

I think either way is just as good and bad as the other, it wont turn into cahos 1-2-3, but I think we should give it a try and see what happens. Although that's up for battye to decide. After all this is just a suggestion.

[quicksilver]

A word to the wise , I post at about 7 forums and which ever one people turn up on, I offer assistance, so dont worry help is not that far away.
I did view some of the FB stuff but as I,m a comparative newcomer I cant say I saw anything that would drag me to join up there , horses for courses..

[nesman]

Allowing guest posts invites all kinds of nonsense. It's like saying, "Hi, I don't know you, but come write some stuff on my website!" I realize that isn't far removed with the registration process, but I think the point still stands. As was said before, just check out some boards that allow guest posts. I'm not suggesting that there is a quality difference (Vladd's place is awesome) but there's a lot more riffraff.

[Rat]

I run a tiny, low-traffic, forum of a specialist nature on my web site. Guest posting is allowed because I run the forum for another web site, not just for myself, and the owner of that site didn't want to scare away potential posters. Well... nobody is scared.... almost nobody posts - about 3 a day is maximum but still, every couple of days I have to delete a new posting because the content is unsuitable. I've even had russian women advertising themselves for marriage - and this to a specialist biomedical forum. Two days ago some guy posted to ask if any of us knew where to buy Marlboro cigarettes online.

In my opinion, if people really want something from a forum, they'll join.

[battye]

I think it's been summed up by Rat and Nes, also Quick. Having to register to post makes it that little bit more complicated for users not willing to commit, to spam or cause trouble. If they genuinely want help, they'll register.

[tunebud]

I think it's been summed up by Rat and Nes, also Quick. Having to register to post makes it that little bit more complicated for users not willing to commit, to spam or cause trouble. If they genuinely want help, they'll register.

I am in total agreement with this also.As far as knowing the quality of the forms here.One can see it in the introductory area .The responses,and number of,a new member will receive that in its self should give a potential new member enough of an idea of what CMX is like.

This will upmostly help the support sections on this site, they are lacking compared to a lot of other forums.

Why would anyone want to set around and compare?
Beside that fact like you have said there are other (just) support sites out there.Yes we should do our part and give support as needed to visitors and members but I think you said it best.

the site is unique

[moongirl]

I think it's been summed up by Rat and Nes, also Quick. Having to register to post makes it that little bit more complicated for users not willing to commit, to spam or cause trouble. If they genuinely want help, they'll register.

I am in total agreement with this also.As far as knowing the quality of the forms here.One can see it in the introductory area .The responses,and number of,a new member will receive that in its self should give a potential new member enough of an idea of what CMX is like.

This will upmostly help the support sections on this site, they are lacking compared to a lot of other forums.

Why would anyone want to set around and compare?
Beside that fact like you have said there are other (just) support sites out there.Yes we should do our part and give support as needed to visitors and members but I think you said it best.

the site is unique

Thanks Tune, I couldn't agee more.
The uniqueness at CricketMX is the people themselves.
We have a very good mix of personalities and a depth of knowledge
that is shared with good humour and good intentions.

[Layzie Bone]

and that's why I don't think it would turn into chaos...

[bittenapple]

yeah.. if people REALLY wanted to comment on something, then they should register - if not.. it's probably not a valid point.

[Joshua]

i think the site is fine the way it is

[Vladd44]

I cite Vladds or 2SN as an example of how forums can turn into "adult only" areas

I think you fail to take into consideration the fact this forum is moderated. Neither vladd44, nor 2sn (from what I can see) face any significant restriction. The worst things on my forum are said by members. Guests didnt give it the not PG-13 flavor.

I,m all for community just not anarchy.

I'm for an anarchistic community.

Seriously, not that its my business, but I dont think allowing guest to post would significantly alter the personality of this forum. It would continue to reflect the personality of the webmaster, the moderators, and its cast of loyal users. The time and energy that are expended is obvious.

[quicksilver]

I dont mean to inferr anything bad with my comments Vladd , its just that given the current size of the forum and the ratio of moderators , the flavour of the forum can be kept in line with the wishes of the webmaster
I believe you have 5 or 6 moderators and so although is sometimes gets a little out of hand , a guiding post can quickly bring the topic back online , or off topic as the wish may be.
I am a regular visitor to your forum myself , and I enjoy the freedom to post a variety of items that I would not post on Cricket.
This is because as a moderator I feel an example should be set , and I am pleased to say I can count on one hand how many times I have needed to say a harsh word to an errant poster.
I know that helping people is really what most forums are about and I think both forums have a role to play with that.
As always I can rely on Battye to guide me and I hope I havent trodden on any toes in learning the ropes here.

[me here]

So guests are able to post in certain areas of the forum as I did try for myself.. was that the plan??