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[jambo]

Having viewed this site was what made me join in the first place. I liked what I saw and wanted to become a part of it.

So basically, you saw that I was a member and signed up?

[WishIwasthere]

Having viewed this site was what made me join in the first place. I liked what I saw and wanted to become a part of it.

So basically, you saw that I was a member and signed up?

[jambo]

Thank you, thank you. I'm here... forever!

[PublicImage]

I didn't join AFG because of the inability to view the forum as a guest. So I don't think it's a great idea!

*I joined that site when I was banned..haha*

[Narek]

Don't mind jambo he's the forum's number one n00b

[Keith Jordan]

Mmm. Im considering making it so that you have to log in to read the forum and post. The server is over loaded and I want to see if cutting the probably 100s of search engines coming through here and indexing 36,000 pages and hammering the server will help.

Perhaps I will change the settings in a few days until after Christmas!

At least once people join, I can them email them to post!!!!!

[Keith Jordan]

Right, you now have to login to read any posts/threads except for NPF Tribute, Magazine New Members Foum fora! So there you go. The experiment begins.

I expect

1 - lots of new user registrations
2 - easier load on the server so less crashes!
3 - able to encourage newbies to post once they register!


Registrations will be encouraged by offering downloads and news etc so they have to register to access!!!!

[Keith Jordan]

My evil plan is working! 51 legitimate new accounts registered troday!! Normally 1-2 at most!!

Also, the server has been relatively well behaved today too!!

Now I just need to make these newbies post damn it!!

[moom]

the idea's good as making some topics invisible for new unregistered users encourages 'em to register Let 'em have a glimpse that will make them interested. I did just the same on my forums (all on different topics)

[Keith Jordan]

I reverted to leaving everything open for all to see except the RoIO trading section! Didnt make much difference to the server load.

[MadJedi]

i would do the same for the downloads section...

[Keith Jordan]

I meant the RoIO section as in the section that contains the torrent and HTTP downloads and chat/vines.

[Keith Jordan]

I am going to try an experiment for a few months by requiring people to log in to view anything on the forum. I think this will increase account sign-ups. As I will be asking people with no posts to post or have their account deleted on a monthly basis, I think this will lead to greater participation and more fun people to talk to!! Oh yes, and it will cut down server load and, hopefully, speed the forum/site up!

I just though I would let you all know in case you were wondering what was going on!

[Keith Jordan]

Registering and logging in is now required again in a bid to cut down on the server resources used by the various BOTS that visit the site to index it for search engines. Only 6% of traffic is generated through search engines to the site, but they are indexing tens of thousands of posts and taking too much resources in the process. Also, it would be nice if people were registered, as it will enable them to then post!

[Real Pink in the Inside]

I am thinking of going back to the "olden days" where you had to be registered and logged in to view forum topics!

The reasons:

1 - Reduce bandwidth and server resources from search engines indexing.

2 - Increase registrations and thus participation


Anyone got any thoughts to share on this?

The best forums are always the ones with reasonable rules that are open to registered members and guests alike (i.e., lurkers, those who like to read instead of post). The hallmark of a poor forum is one that requires members to sign up and abide by a seemingly endless list of questionable rules.