Non-Viewable to Guests

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

How do you feel about forums that are totally non viewable to guests?

What about ones that just pick out certain forums that allow you to see the forum but not read the stuff inside?

 

[Raven]

I hate that, totally off putting. If I see a forum like that I just click the X button and leave straight away.

 

[Grailknight]

Same here. If you want to exclude guests, so be it, but don't expect them to join.

 

[hotspot]

I'm only okay with it, if it's a private forum. And only for certain people that are invited to it.

 

[Alien]

I can understand some parts of the forum being hidden to guests, but yeah, the whole forum being hidden is very offputting.

I was browsing some forums the other day as I am looking for some new ones to join, and I didn't consider joining any that were totally hidden. I want to see how active the place is, the kinds of things they talk about, and how the members treat each other, before I consider joining.

 

[Bluezone777]

If the forum was meant to be private then yeah makes sense but otherwise no it's a terrible idea.



The only stuff I hide from guests on my board is the user creations section where people post up their art, writing and that sort of thing. the my little corner section which is a personal section for users to write anything they like in their section.

 

[Alien]

I was on a forum recently that let you see the thread names but not read the threads.

I didn't join.....it's not something that would totally put me off joining, but the threads would need to look interesting for me to join.

 

[Jazzy]

I can understand some parts of the forum being hidden to guests, but yeah, the whole forum being hidden is very offputting.

I was browsing some forums the other day as I am looking for some new ones to join, and I didn't consider joining any that were totally hidden. I want to see how active the place is, the kinds of things they talk about, and how the members treat each other, before I consider joining.

I agree 100% and very well put Alien!

 

[MrMetroid]

I hate it when people do that

 

[Evil Eye]

 

[Ashley]

I hate that, totally off putting. If I see a forum like that I just click the X button and leave straight away.

Exactly. I just leave and go somewhere else. A Forum that does not allow me to see what to expect of it is not worth my time and energy that I could be posting elsewhere.

 

[IcarusForde]

Pain in the butt.

 

[Flurry]

Frankly, I don't see the point. As its off putting and potentially damaging to the forum in the long run. At least in gaining new members anyway.

 

[MrMetroid]

Frankly, I don't see the point. As its off putting and potentially damaging to the forum in the long run. At least in gaining new members anyway.

Agreed

 

[activeboards.org]

http://www.activeboards.org/index.php?topic=386.0



I was having the same argument om my site. I hate it when they do that. But he insisted on doing that and wouldn't listen. I won't force anybody to join my site. But at least I keep it open and don't hide anything (accept the spam) so people can decide for them selves weather or not it is worth joining. And if nobody joins then it's because they don't like my topic, not cuz they were affraid to register and see what is inside.