Off Topix: Embrace the Unexpected in Every Discussion
Off Topix is a well established general discussion forum that originally opened to the public way back in 2009! We provide a laid back atmosphere and our members are down to earth. We have a ton of content and fresh stuff is constantly being added. We cover all sorts of topics, so there's bound to be something inside to pique your interest. We welcome anyone and everyone to register & become a member of our awesome community.
Guests
- Thread starter Wiz
- Start date
Unless I can see most of the content and can browse freely, then I won't join up for the simple reason is that I want to know what a forum's like before I join up, so I know it's worth doing.
The only thing I would block out if I were you would be things like blogs, possibly graphics, and maybe even adult forums or staff and VIP lounges (obviously), other than that, if you sign up to a forum, it's nice to know what the forum's about and what you're getting yourself into before you join.
Wiz said:Wondering how everyone else handles guest. Do you allow guest to view website? If so you allow them to read the posts or just home page? I allow them to view and see threads at this time. Think this might hurt site growth.
Hi, Wiz.
I allow guests to view all the forums members can see, and the contents contained therein. My restrictions for guests are most notably placed on profiles, member list, and who is online page. Also, members must log in to see the shoutbox.
Regards,
Kevin
Guests can view/read the forums. They have to register an account to post though.
Ive been on a few forums that will hit you with this message after browsing as a guest for a while:
Not something I would do, also I'd see it as a way to turn-off/annoy potential members and make them NOT want to register.
Ive been on a few forums that will hit you with this message after browsing as a guest for a while:
Not something I would do, also I'd see it as a way to turn-off/annoy potential members and make them NOT want to register.
Nebulous said:
Yeah, I had the option to enable an inactivity reminder for a welcome messages feature for vB3 I added, but I left it disabled. However, I still display a message for members who haven't posted yet. That message simply encourages them to post an introduction by pointing them towards the introduction section. In any case, that message disappears after the first post. Here is that message, by the way:
I'm wondering if anyone here thinks I should disable that, too, or if I'm better off just sending a private message or email with that information.
Regards,
Kevin
Nebulous said:
I don't think I've been on such a forum, but if I ever did run across one, I would probably leave, because I know some people (myself included) sometimes like to get the feel of all the forum before they decide to register. Like me, I like to see how recent the posts are, how friendly the community is, and the like, which could also include browsing the whole forum. I think it's kind of stupid to have a guest message where you can only view so many posts before you have to register to see everything else. Major turn-off in my book.
I always allow guests to read all threads at my site, also i let them post in questions and help and suggestions and feedback
If you want privacy within your member base, then what you can do is have the whole forums available to read via bots/non-members, except a members only forum, that can only be accessed when you are logged in to an account on the forum.
I don't know the simplicity in setting that up, but this way members can post stuff that only other members can read and it's free from being exposed to bots & guests.
I don't know the simplicity in setting that up, but this way members can post stuff that only other members can read and it's free from being exposed to bots & guests.
