PSG and Non-Registered Users...

[Laurynnem]

Hi

I was browsing the site I noticed that it stated at the bottom

9 members and 103 guests, with 5 spiders

Firstly I was wondering what were spiders?

And Secondly...

It would be great in my opinion if this forum could block unregistered users from not only commenting on posts but viewing them as well. So when they come onto the forum, they see the main page with all the listings and then can view sub listings with the titles, but when they click to view a post they should be prevented from reading the thread until they have registered.

I know this is perhaps a lot to ask for but PSG members numbers will grow considerably if everyone has to register to read advice, tips ect from the members who supply them.

This way when you see 103 guests - there would instead be 103 newly registered PSG members.

Unless this has been tried or whatever and didn't work - but I have seen it on other forums where they tease you with the titles - but you can't view anything of substance until you have register.

Thanks Just my 2 cents.

Thanks

[iDad]

block views from unregistered seekers for answers , imo not a very good ideas.

[Laurynnem]

Ok. As I said it was just my two cents. If other forums do it, it cant be that tragic. All I'm saying is that they need to register and be a part of the community to view the info. Its not unheard of.

[iDad]

I'm not the owner of the site but I believe transparency only helps keep PSG what it is, if your thinking freelance section should be closed to just registered, maybe that may help but imo you're damned if you do damned if you dont. ....... just a thought

[Laurynnem]

To each their own i guess... But it will certainly improve the community. Many forum sites (huge ones) have exactly this suggestion in place. They thrive at an astonishing pace - even with this in system - So in my absolute honest opinion - It must work.

[Steve]

Spiders are the search engines browsing around.

As for registering before viewing threads I personally like it the way it is, like you that's just my personal opinion.
I think it works well for this forum.
What I don't like is a site that allows anyone to post.
DSLR.com does that.
I've been a member there for 11 years, they are a large site and they think that works for them.
Go figure!

[Vafann]

Hi, I think it´s good the way it is too. the reason I became a member here was because I was looking around the web for an answer to something. I didn´t want to have to become a member of every site I passed through just to look. I found my answer here and was very happy, looking around the different posts I could see what a great and helpful place this was, if I had been blocked from seeing the posts I would probably just have moved on. This way I could see what I was creating an account to, and I thinks it´s really good.

[admin]

Thanks for the suggestion.

No one can post/comment here without registering.

Anyone can view posts and find answers here without registering and we will be keeping it that way. I don't feel closing the site off from non-registered users would be of benefit to us.

[TerryC]

Your suggestion as been prodded many times, questioned and answered in every forum on the net. Got some who think they have the best info available they lock the forums from Unwanted guests, in my opinion thats pretty selfish of them. As it has beeen said, we want our visitors to feel welcome and blocking them only discourages them. I have a forum that was that way, and it is offline not being used. Was it from that? Not sure, but I am sure it doesn't work. Thank you for your concerns.

[Paul MR]

I for one would not frequent a closed forum, as it seems to me that they only what user information. There is no way to see how good a site they were without signing up and that's not going to happen for me.