General Cycling Discussion - Guests, allow them to post?

What do you think? Should we allow guests to post questions and answers? Or leave it at registered members only?

I think it makes it more personal when people are registered. Having guests posting, would dilute things. Registering is not that hard and it helps weed out the undesirables.

I agree with Steele-Bike. But another reason I voted "No" is that when I saw those two test posts yesterday (Jul. 8), they scared me! I thought it might be evidence of malicious hacking. (Now I guess it was just you, "Joey," huh, and...er...your little brother, "Err"? :) )

Anyway, I checked the settings on my firewall to make sure security was maximum, etc. It was one of the few times I've ever felt alarmed being on the Internet.

Couldn't registration be automated (eventually) so that if a member didn't visit at all during a certain period, an email would go out that the membership was about to be terminated due to inactivity, and then if no response, weed out the inactive ones that way? I belonged to another forum that was able to do that.

Next time you test that way, say "It's only me, Joe Gardner, testing this thing." Then I can relax and say, "Oh, it's only another hacker pretending to be Joe!" :p

I don't mind letting the guests post, it might make it a better experience for them and then they will join. But is there a little guest terms of service?

No, requiring registration allows you to keep some control on the posting. There are always the newsgroups for those who don't want to register. (Hey, I'm usually against any web site that requires me to give out information to join :) .)

Kevin S.

Normally I would say they should register. But as the poll question stated, most visitors only want to "look around", have a few questions answered, and then they never come back.

Can you control spam from visitors?

If you look at the numbers there are 1360 registered members, yet I only see "regular" posts from a few dozen or so.

Maybe you should delete names and data for anyone who hasn't posted for a predetermined period; say a couple of months.

Joe, you're the boss. If you don't mind loading up the server with info, go ahead.

Ron

Joe,
Would it be possible to have a "guest" forum where anyone can post without logging in, then have the other forums (fora?) read-only unless you login? That would give one-time visitors a chance to post questions or make comments, but require a somewhat higher degree of commitment before posting in the other areas.

One of the great things about BFC is the courtesy and respect that we show each other, even when we strongly disagree. We enjoy each other's company and we gladly welcome anyone who shares our mutual interests. We may pick goofy screen names for ourselves (and sometimes even for our spouses), we may choose not to share our age or location, but, I don't sense that anyone is trying to hide behind anonymity. There's a degree of trust here that is rare in any group of people, let alone an internet forum. Heck, I'd loan a bike to any one of you.

I'm concerned that unrestricted access for guests would open the door to the kinds of flame wars that are so common in other discussion groups. I'm concerned that we'd get more spam. I'm concerned that some of the regulars will decide that it's too crowded around here and take their wisdom and humor and triumphs somewhere else.

That's why I voted no.

c~

Originally posted by HogWild
One of the great things about BFC is the courtesy and respect that we show each other, even when we strongly disagree. We enjoy each other's company and we gladly welcome anyone who shares our mutual interests. We may pick goofy screen names for ourselves (and sometimes even for our spouses), we may choose not to share our age or location, but, I don't sense that anyone is trying to hide behind anonymity. There's a degree of trust here that is rare in any group of people, let alone an internet forum. Heck, I'd loan a bike to any one of you.

I absolutely agree with you, and those points make the BFC so special. :thumbup:

BTW, what bikes do you have, so I'll know what to borrow? ;) :D

Very good points Hodwild. I actually voted yes, but now I realize the risk of spammers would be greater and that not allowing guests to post would be better for the forum overall. Maybe a temporary membership would be possible? or a default guest username?

Just one quick question, HogWild--if I borrow your bike, do I have to give it back?

On-topic again, I'm in complete agreement with all the reasons given for not permitting guests to post. Registration is quick and painless (or else I probably never would have done it :)), and not too much to ask. I do think (as indicated earlier) that there should be a way to weed out truly inactive memberships, just to keep realistic about things.

This place is truly special, and we need to take care to not let it get spam-y and flame-y and nast-y like so many fora (forums?).

BFC is a rare find. As things are you can surf BFC but not post? unless registerered? My concern would be SPAM and there being no reason to register at all if you could post without registering. Perhaps, HogWilds idea is a good one create a special place for guests to post. This way we could dazzle them with our good spirit!! ride long and prosper. Long Live BFC. Stan. For now I've voted no.

I've re-thought my previous vote and post. (Joe, can I vote again??? ;) )
If anyone wanting to post was required to take the time to register, maybe there would be some type of "committment" to BFC. At least it may help keep this place much the way it is -- a place for quality people who care about cycling to hang out.

Ron

AlphaGeek and JonR,
Next time y'all are down in San Angelo, look me up. I can loan you a 15 year old rusty Panasonic road bike, though the newer Giant hybrid would be easier to adjust to your height and leg length. I could probably talk my granddaughter into loaning you her "Little Mermaid" bike, complete with streamers in the handlebar grips and training wheels, but you'd have to wear the pink and purple helmet that goes with it.

I guess the point is that part of the magic of BFC is that I'd love to go for a ride with nearly anyone who posts here. Would I be as willing to meet someone I only knew as "guest"?

Stan, I think you're right about dazzling them with our good spirit. Folks here are amazingly helpful. If we had a "Guest" forum so people could post the kinds of one-off questions we usually get, you know that they would get at least 3 or 4 well thought out answers, along with a couple of wisecracks and inside jokes.

Drifting slowly back on-topic... another site that features discussion forums is slashdot.org. They allow guests to post, but all guests are given the screen name of "Anonymous Coward". For some reason, I find that hilarious.

c~

If anyone browsing along could post without registering, some would litter in our hallowed halls. This excess rubbish would make our kind Janitor very, very busy, udoubtedly cutting in to his bike riding time! Nobody here wants to see that! :p

You all have good points. I'll think about setting up a forum for un-registered users, great idea.

I see no reason why "Guess" should be allowed to post...., yes I Agree They can read, but not to post

Originally posted by HogWild
I could probably talk my granddaughter into loaning you her "Little Mermaid" bike, complete with streamers in the handlebar grips and training wheels, but you'd have to wear the pink and purple helmet that goes with it.

...slashdot.org. They allow guests to post, but all guests are given the screen name of "Anonymous Coward". For some reason, I find that hilarious. c~

Sounds like a cool bike, but I'll pass! ;)

Yep, if we do open it up, I like that idea. Slashdot (a linux site) can be a real hoot. I like THIS forum much better! :D

I'm with Orguasch (although, I wish he'd change his name, I gotta write it down when I want to mention him:D , just kidding) I see no problem with letting guests read, lurking and seeing what a great place this is, is what got me to join. We are telling no secrets so what the heck? I do think to post a you should be required to register. It's really no big deal and you don't have to give any great amount of information on yourself.

Got no bike to loan but, have gained respect and warm feelings for many here already.

Originally posted by J.R.
I'm with Orguasch (although, I wish he'd change his name, I gotta write it down when I want to mention him:D , just kidding) I see no problem with letting guests read, lurking and seeing what a great place this is, is what got me to join. We are telling no secrets so what the heck? I do think to post a you should be required to register. It's really no big deal and you don't have to give any great amount of information on yourself.

Got no bike to loan but, have gained respect and warm feelings for many here already.
J.R.
I understand your problem that to spell my name completely its taking so much of your time, I wanted to change it to"Orgy" , but I might offend somebody here in our website, and beside, I don't know how to change my registered name, have to ask Joe on how to go about it...

Originally posted by orguasch

J.R.
I wanted to change it to"Orgy" , but I might offend somebody here in our website, and beside, I don't know how to change my registered name, have to ask Joe on how to go about it...

Why not make it official and change it to Racso! Everybody knows who you are by now.

Just don't change it to "hcsaugro," or else I'll start having to write it down! :eek:

Orguasch..."Orgy" is hilarious...I don't think you'd offend anyone (based on my short experience here with everybody's great sense of humor) but, you might end up explaining it alot!!<BG>

I really have no problem with Orguasch, maybe I'll just type it in a few times and then I'll have it.....Orguasch, Orguasch, Orguasch, Orguasch...yeah....I'm getting there

J. R., this is where keyboard macro programs really come in handy! Just press "ALT+CTL+SHF"+something else, hold your breath, and, bingo, out comes that difficult word on the screen!:) I use one to do my logging in for me here on the forums--otherwise I'd wear out my fingers and possibly my memory....