No guest viewing permissions?

[Randy]

How do you feel about forums that are completely shut off to guest viewing?

You have to register and/or login to the forum to be able to see anything?

Is it a turn off or does it make you want to join to see whats inside?

 

[Jane]

You should have some of the forum visible otherwise no one will know what the forum is like, Closing the whole forum off is silly. I would not join such a forum,

 

[KenDaGamer]

I leave all boards open for the guests to see, but must register to post.

 

[Nebulous]

You should have some of the forum visible otherwise no one will know what the forum is like, Closing the whole forum off is silly. I would not join such a forum,

I leave all boards open for the guests to see, but must register to post.

Agreed on both answers!

....although I have joined a forum or two that was completely closed off to guest viewing because I knew/interacted the forum owner on other forums. If I don't know the admin then I wouldn't join.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I have been planning on making the main niche boards public.

Then I'll make the off-topic visible but its content private.

I think that would be a good setup. Maybe not here, though, LOL.

 

[PGen98]

I don't join boards if I can't browse some content first. It's no inviting and doesn't give me anything to draw me in, so I just leave.

 

[Nebulous]

I have been planning on making the main niche boards public.

Then I'll make the off-topic visible but its content private.

I think that would be a good setup. Maybe not here, though, LOL.

Sounds like a good plan!

 

[Gizmo]

I think it's quite pathetic IMO especially if it's a new forum or doesn't have a huge member base. Being able to view the forum is basically the first impression a guest will have of a forum. If they can't see the forum why would they bother joining?

 

[Nebulous]

I think it's quite pathetic IMO especially if it's a new forum or doesn't have a huge member base. Being able to view the forum is basically the first impression a guest will have of a forum. If they can't see the forum why would they bother joining?

I suppose they're just setting themselves up for failure.

From what I've seen, forums that close off guest viewing already have a pretty big group of regulars and don't want outsiders to see whats going on in their little private club. I've even seen forums that disable registrations and guest viewing and the only way you can join is if you get an invite.

 

[PGen98]

I suppose they're just setting themselves up for failure.

From what I've seen, forums that close off guest viewing already have a pretty big group of regulars and don't want outsiders to see whats going on in their little private club. I've even seen forums that disable registrations and guest viewing and the only way you can join is if you get an invite.

Yeah, and there are some that are setup from the get-go as private communities, I've been a part of and helped to run a few of them. They're not meant for guests to see, and that's how they want it. But if you're looking to attract people, blocking guest viewing is the quickest way to send them packing.

 

[MrDawn]

Guests shouldn't post at all. If they want to do that they should register. Makes your forum a target for spam.

 

[Nebulous]

Guests shouldn't post at all. If they want to do that they should register. Makes your forum a target for spam.

Agreed, I always think its odd when I do see a forum that has guest posting available.

 

[nomad]

My forums are open for guests, you need to be a registered member only to post. I don't like forums that are shut down to guests.

 

[Nebulous]

My forums are open for guests, you need to be a registered member only to post. I don't like forums that are shut down to guests.

Yeah, its not a good way to attract new members. However some forums don't want to attract new members, they just want to have their private little club.

 

[koop2]

Yeah, open forums to guests are the way to go. Registered for posting, and maybe some private sections for whatever.

 

[Gizmo]

I've got all forums open for guests to view on my forum. The only ones that aren't available are the staff and VIP forums but they're also not open for members too. Basically whatever regular members can see guests can.

 

[McConnaughay]

I leave all boards open for the guests to see, but must register to post.

Exactly.

I always thought that was weird - what exactly are you trying to hide?

 

[KenDaGamer]

Exactly.

I always thought that was weird - what exactly are you trying to hide?

It's not weird. The reason I did this is to prevent the spambots from posting nonsensical BS in my boards. I had to ban a couple of them for breaking the rules.

 

[McConnaughay]

It's not weird. The reason I did this is to prevent the spambots from posting nonsensical BS in my boards. I had to ban a couple of them for breaking the rules.

I was agreeing with you.

 

[KenDaGamer]

I was agreeing with you.

Fair enough