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[BigC]

Hi,
Just a suggestion for what its worth.
On visiting other forums (not a member of any other) I sometimes find it a closed shop when viewing.
I would maybe type something into the Google search box and be directed to such sites. Upon trying to access the information on the site, I am then re-directed to the signup page, In other words I would have to submit my details before I could access any information.
It appears that our site does not have such a functionality whereby anybody can come along and access info as they please.
Is this a good thing or bad....any thoughts (the membership).
Regards
BigC

 

[andywg]

I like it being quite open. I certainly wouldn't want to join and be a large part of a community where you have to join up just to see how it operates.

I am fairly sure that you have to join TFF to use the search, as that was the original reason I joined. I have seen other forums that make you have to join to see uploaded photos (thus saving bandwidth for members). I am not sure if that applies here, but I wouldn't mind seeing that come in (is it already installed?).

I also recall that the profiles have been plagiarised before. There is the prospect of locking those out to non members, but I am up in the air and just on the side of leaving them open. Our profiles are all produced by members and go under the "peer review" of the mods. I believe the profiles could well be a way to get potential members looking around the site.

So to sum up, I think the information in the posts should be freely available as too the profiles, but there is certainly a case for locking out uploaded pictures (though this is unlikely to affect images hosted elsewhere).

 

[Lateral Line]

I like it being open as well. If I get redirected to a sign up page when googling, I tend to return to the google results and pick the next one. That could just be me being pig-headed about such things.

I'd rather get the information needed to a fishkeeper in distress then force someone to be a member, who then disappears as soon as they have what they need. People should want to join and share - that is what it is all about.

Now if only the spoilers would crawl away...

 

[wuvmybetta]

I agree. I had to join a dog forum not too long ago just because I couldn't see the pictures in the topics. I really had no intention of being part of their community, but...I'm a member now. Although inactive compared to some.

Sure ,sitting around here talking about fish all day is perfectly normal. But people sitting around talking about their dogs all day is kinda fruity. Weirdos.

 

[cheesy feet]

I agree. I had to join a dog forum not too long ago just because I couldn't see the pictures in the topics. I really had no intention of being part of their community, but...I'm a member now. Although inactive compared to some.

Sure ,sitting around here talking about fish all day is perfectly normal. But people sitting around talking about their dogs all day is kinda fruity. Weirdos.

 

[poopsydrew]

I sure hope it doesn't turn into that BigC. This forum has some outstanding information as stated and I cam across it on a google search, I then spent the next few days reading all kinds of great information from this forum. If when I first came here I couldn't see the pages and info, I would move on to the next forum instead of signing up for an account on a forum I know nothing about.

Helpful information for fishkeepers shouldn't be restricted to wether or not you join a forum. Thats my input anyway.

Andy, Im not so sure I agree with blocking out pics either. They can be worth a thousand words in many cases, especially in a emergency situation. To me, If one was worried about their picture being used, they could easily watermark it, which they should be doing anyway if they are that concerned. Yes, it could still be altered, but I say if it is that worrisome then you shouldn't be posting that picture on a forum in the first place.

Drew

 

[andywg]

Andy, Im not so sure I agree with blocking out pics either. They can be worth a thousand words in many cases, especially in a emergency situation. To me, If one was worried about their picture being used, they could easily watermark it, which they should be doing anyway if they are that concerned. Yes, it could still be altered, but I say if it is that worrisome then you shouldn't be posting that picture on a forum in the first place.

That is to do with the expense of bandwidth. Pics hosted off site can be viewed, but those that are stored on the forum are reserved for those that are members.

I said there is a case. I am somewhat apathetic, and to be honest we could do away with the pic upload altogether and just advise people on how to host elsewhere.

 

[PlecMama]

If I get redirected to a sign up page when googling, I tend to return to the google results and pick the next one. That could just be me being pig-headed about such things.

I do too, I hate being forced to join stuff that they clearly have no problem letting me see. If I can sign up and see it, why can't I just see it? I don't think it shows any more commitment if you join.

The only time I have actually signed up was to view houses for sale in TX, I don't mind giving them my info in exchange for looking at the houses they have on sale, since I can customize my own search requirements and fill a "My Houses" file full of places I'd like to buy.

 

[poopsydrew]

Andy, Im not so sure I agree with blocking out pics either. They can be worth a thousand words in many cases, especially in a emergency situation. To me, If one was worried about their picture being used, they could easily watermark it, which they should be doing anyway if they are that concerned. Yes, it could still be altered, but I say if it is that worrisome then you shouldn't be posting that picture on a forum in the first place.

That is to do with the expense of bandwidth. Pics hosted off site can be viewed, but those that are stored on the forum are reserved for those that are members.

I said there is a case. I am somewhat apathetic, and to be honest we could do away with the pic upload altogether and just advise people on how to host elsewhere.

Fair enough

Im with you on the off site hosting. The bandwidth expense you mentioned wouldn't be a real issue if all images and vids were hosted off the server. I imagine one day, most forums will convert that way to save bandwidth and space, once most people can be convinced of how easy it is to host it on something like imageshack or photobucket.

Drew

 

[BigC]

Some good, interesting and valid points debated here.
Seems an open to all forum is being presented as preference.