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+--- Thread: So many guests :O (/showthread.php?tid=16986)
So many guests :O - wtftwice - 03-15-2011
113 users active in the past 60 minutes (13 members, 2 of whom are invisible, and 98 guests).
So around 86% of the people online are guests most of the time.
I was thinking, maybe some sections of the forums should be for only registered users to look at, kind of what HF is currently like. Most people just lurk around and don't post, but even if they were logged it would increase the chance of some people posting because of convenience and maybe it would increase activity a bit.
Yeah, too many maybe's.
I don't know, just throwing the idea out there.
I have no idea what it takes to run several successful sites like Omni.
RE: So many guests :O - Omniscient - 03-15-2011
Maybe that's a good idea. It's not something I like to do normally but it could increase membership and activity.
The biggest issue is that MyBB has some wonky permissions for disallowing the viewing of threads to guests and then displaying some odd messages. I've had to alter HF in order to do what I wanted but it was worth it.
Let me give it a shot.
EDIT: Okay done. I'm going to see how the site does in the next week because of this.
RE: So many guests :O - wtftwice - 03-15-2011
(03-15-2011, 09:39 AM)Omniscient Wrote: Maybe that's a good idea. It's not something I like to do normally but it could increase membership and activity.
The biggest issue is that MyBB has some wonky permissions for disallowing the viewing of threads to guests and then displaying some odd messages. I've had to alter HF in order to do what I wanted but it was worth it.
Let me give it a shot.
EDIT: Okay done. I'm going to see how the site does in the next week because of this.
Alright, cool.
It's amazing how you take suggestions from all the users like this, not many admins care or take the time out to do so, thanks!
RE: So many guests :O - Omniscient - 03-15-2011
I normally try to take suggestions to improve my forums. Member input is very valuable to a new forum. And yes I still consider SF new.
RE: So many guests :O - GrammarPhreak - 03-15-2011
Or we can have a membership that people can buy that gives us more freedom on the forum.
RE: So many guests :O - Omniscient - 03-15-2011
I'm hoping to avoid paid membership here for a long long time. The goal of most forums should not be VIP paid membership even if it's a good way to monetize. We're open 18 months and still no paid memberships.
RE: So many guests :O - Scalise - 03-15-2011
In all honesty, as a support forum it's sort of defeats the purpose to refuse some people to come get help.
I'd rather have them be non-registered than registered with 3 posts and then never coming back.
This is just my opinion
RE: So many guests :O - Omniscient - 03-15-2011
The idea is that once they join they've done the tough part and will be more active. It does work. But I do agree with you as well. But right now we have a high bounce rate which means people visit one page and leave. That's likely because they can read threads they find from Google and click away or close the browser.
So the goal is more members which in turn raises activity.
RE: So many guests :O - Scalise - 03-15-2011
I don't turn down the idea of closing some sections to guests, such as GFX (theft purposes), Emotional Support (personal/security), and some of the group channels. The only one I can think of off the top of my head to keep up atm would have to be guides, LOL.
RE: So many guests :O - Omniscient - 03-15-2011
It's a pain in the ass to do individual forums.