Lock Out Guest

[RealitY]

Perhaps its time...
Currently Active Users: 97 (20 members and 77 guests)
Thats ridiculouus really.
:blink: :blink:

I guess we could leave just this section open with a "Say HI" thread and even allow guests to post here or something like that or maybe even bring back the Guest section with posting and lock the rest, just way to many lurkers it seems.

[Samurai]

i concur. either that or charge them for help :lol:

updated: (19 members and 76 guests)

[Rip The Jacker]

Damn I just noticed that! Lets make them register. :shifty:

[Samurai]

Damn I just noticed that! Lets make them register. :shifty:

turn your secret mod powers on :shifty:

[Rip The Jacker]

turn your secret mod powers on :shifty:
What? Who told you?! :ohmy:

Er... I mean... what secret mod powers that no one was supposed to know about? :unsure:

@RealitY
Didn't the guest section backfire last time because of banned spammers? :unsure:

[RealitY]

I dont really care who posts in there really Ide be up to deleting and I guess would could IPBan occasionally also. I think wede just try it for awhile or something. I seem to remember at one point it was ok but may have been a bandwidth issue which I think would be ok now perhaps. Of course wede have to make sure GoogleBot was signed up first...

[muchspl2]

I never wanted guest, whats th point of singing up if you don't have too FFS :dry:
guest = leechers

[RealitY]

Well it was ok to draw some traffic for awhile I guess but it is statrting to seem ridiculous lately.
I noticed 300 views on my Guide since I seeded the NG Kit torrent yet no n00b posts that I can tell...

[uNz[i]]

Allow guests to see thread titles but not the actual discussions.

Gotta have a hook to catch de fish. ;)

[muchspl2]

no shit, may be we need to make some AE's so the admin will change it, here is a list of good adsense clicks

100
$ 100
$ 38 (top 4)
$ 52
$ 38 mesothelioma
structured settlement
vioxx attorney
$20 to $30 Words/ Phrases
$ 24
$ 22
$ 20 $ 24
$ 22
$ 20 drug rehab
contract management software
car accident lawyer
$10 to $20 Words/ Phrases
$ 18
$ 17
$ 15
$ 15
$14
$ 14
$ 100
$ 41
$ 13
$ 12
$ 12
$ 12
$ 11
$ 11
$ 16
(top 4)
$ 15
$ 10
(top 4)
$ 14
$ 12
$ 12
(top 4)
(top 4)
$ 12
$ 12
(top 10)
(top 3)
note buyers
donate a car
investment fraud
content management
home equity loans
cash advance, payday loan
asbestos lawyer
cord blood
california refinance
refinance
cerebral palsy
search engine marketing
california mortgage
criminal attorney
$8 to $10 Words/ Phrases

$ 10
$ 10
$ 10
$ 10
$ 13
$ 10
$ 10
$ 17

(top 10)
(top 6)
(top 5)
(top 4)
$ 10
$ 10
(top 4)
$ 10

conference calling
factoring
oregon mortgage
answering service
debt consolidation
mailing lists
software escrow
tax attorney
$29 $ 9
student loan consolidation
$ 8
$ 8
$ 8
$ 20
$ 8
$ 8
$ 7
$ 8
(top 7)
(top 5)
(top 3)
$ 8
$ 7
$ 7
(top 5)
$ 5
web hosting
medical malpractice lawyer
seo optimization
debt management
data recovery
document scanning
forex
private jet
$7 Words/ Phrases
$ 7

affiliate program
brochure printing
cash advance
credit report
domain name (updated 11-08-04)
forex (updated 11-08-04)
hosting (updated 11-7-04)
incorporate
refinance mortgage (11-08-04)
tape data recovery
website hosting
wisconsin mortgage



$6 Words/ Phrases
$ 6

auto insurance
california divorce lawyer
charter aircraft
christian debt consolidation
lemon law
mac data recovery
patents



$5 Words/ Phrases
$ 5

background check
business card
california divorce attorney
data recovery
factoring
fraud
gastric bypass
invention
personal loan
teak furniture
term life



$4 Words/ Phrases
$ 4

affiliate marketing
alaska fishing
charter flight
college
direct tv
dvd duplication
hard drive recovery
laminate flooring
lower cholesterol
metal building
mortgage life insurance
moving company
online degree
satellite TV (11-08-04)
shopping cart software
stock broker
video production
web site design
$3 Words/ Phrases
$ 3
accounting software
acne
art school
asic design
canada fishing
cash drawer
casino
charity
charter yacht
computer chair
contact lenses
degree
diet
dna testing
drivers education
drug test
golf business
hair loss
hardwood floor
HGH
home insurance
military school
MLM
pay per click
people pc
projector lamp
radar detector
reverse mortgage
satellite phone
seo
steel building
voip ($4.50 now)

[SeK612]

A chunk of those will be search engine bots. A forum this size will have bots from many engines (Yahoo, Google, Google Adsense etc) constantly indexing pages. Disabling guest might be an idea, but as far as I know, vB boards aren't good at handling bots and they're just treated as guests so they'll also be restricted.

[{I}{K}{E}]

We should not disable guest viewing, we should give them more info on the frontpage why they should register.

[RealitY]

A chunk of those will be search engine bots. A forum this size will have bots from many engines (Yahoo, Google, Google Adsense etc) constantly indexing pages. Disabling guest might be an idea, but as far as I know, vB boards aren't good at handling bots and they're just treated as guests so they'll also be restricted.
Thats alot of Bots...
Currently Active Users: 128 (19 members and 109 guests)
:unsure: :unsure:

Not to metion the majority of them are in the BT area now which seems eXeem is the new topic of the net and generally the count is lower when there isnt a popular topic so I think its mostly lurkers.

Also I thought there was a way to make a googlebot member and so forth as members so that they would be auto logged in and be able crawl whatever need be although Im not sure about how thats with vb though.

[SeK612]

I've yet to find a way to make bots members, as you can do in other boards such as Invision's. There may be a way I guess but it wasn't too obvious.

You're right though plenty of the guests are just that. If the admins wished they could grab a list of the most common bots and input it into the adminCP, that way most of the bots visiting the site would be shown on the "Online list (http://filesharingtalk.com/vb3/online.php?)" so a better picture of guests and bots could be formed :)

[{I}{K}{E}]

Maybe make the thread titles viewable for guests but let them sign up to read the thread.

[manker]

We've already had this discussion - and a poll. It was decided to leave the forum open to guests except for the verifieds and poll section.

We're getting new members at a higher rate than before. Will any change really be beneficial or is it that some members are getting precious about the information they provide on this public forum.

It really makes little difference to me personally if the forum is completely open or totally locked down -- but please ensure that whatever is done is for the purpose of attracting more participating members; rather than to appease current members, who will stay (or not) no matter how the forum is presented to guests.

[sArA]

I would like to see a return of the guest forum.

I would happily keep an eye on it for spammers...in fact it might even help keep some spam off the main board if spammers don't have to sign up first.

[jetje]

I would like to see a return of the guest forum.

I would happily keep an eye on it for spammers...in fact it might even help keep some spam off the main board if spammers don't have to sign up first.

i second this idea :cool2:

[{I}{K}{E}]

but what kind of posts should be allow in the guest section? because in the past we closed everything with: register and check 'this section'.
I dont see why we should have a guests section.

if people have troubles register the can email the admin. if they wanna post they need to register.

[100%]

A guest sees more in an hour than the host in a year.
Polish Proverb

A pretty woman is a welcome guest.
Lord Byron

make your guests feel welcome and at home. If you do that honestly, the rest takes care of itself.
Barbara Hall

Nobody can be as agreeable as an uninvited guest.
Kin Hubbard


The first day, a guest; the second, a burden; the third, a pest.
Edouard R. Laboulaye

[tesco]

keep the guests visiting don't lock them out!

they gotta see what the forum has to offer before they sign up...why would they want to sign up if they have no clue what the place is about. :huh:

[peat moss]

keep the guests visiting don't lock them out!

they gotta see what the forum has to offer before they sign up...why would they want to sign up if they have no clue what the place is about. :huh:


I agree , bit annoying tho when late at nite, its 1 member 10 guests . Wonder how many are members not logging in ? :dry:

[Virtualbody1234]

To all you guest out there reading this... Please join. It's quick, easy and free. We would love to hear what you have to say.

[RealitY]

Maybe make the thread titles viewable for guests but let them sign up to read the thread.
1. Above as mentioned, make the thread titles viewable for guests but let them sign up to read the thread.
2. Open Guest Fourum as it allows Guests to chat before decideding wheather they want to sign up and lets them get a feel for the board. As for what to allow Ide say everything should be allowed except the obvious in which case it should just be deleted. Just include a simple statement...

Guest Forum
Post & Enjoy, All SPAM Will Be Deleted

Ide suggest regulars here just answer the question theyde like to and make a simple suggestion for them to join in at times.
I think we should deffinattly avoid the "Just Register" crap as it would be better not to even post at all.

[zapjb]

Guest are leechers. Share knowledge, experience, hope, warez & or laughter etc. Or get the F outta here!

[rookiecrd1]

If we lock out guests or even restrict their viewing of threads, the forum would eventually die. You have to understand that the reason that we have had such a high number of people, and new sign ups the last 3 weeks is because google had started to index thousands of our posts. Google spiders are guests, thus locking out guests or not allowing them to view all threads will also lock google out.

Brian

[RealitY]

Thus I guess you cant setup a googlebot member as I seem to remember we did with Invision.
If thats the case then we should deffinatly leave it alone...

[rookiecrd1]

It might be possible, but then I'm assuming the archives will not get crawled (this is where most of the traffic is coming from). I'd rather not mess with a good thing.

Brian

[rookiecrd1]

No

[Cheese]

We had this discussion before, the poll was pretty overwhelming in support of opening the forum up. No-one likes to have to register to a forum to find something out, it's far easier to press the 'back' button and read another forum.

If someone finds out what they want and leaves then so be it, if they stay then that's great. You don't black out the windows of a shop to entice customers inside do you?

If the people who object to their guides (or whatever) being shared freely then they should take them down and allow other competent members to replace their precious guides.

The guest forum is a good idea but I remember last time the mods/admin got lazy and just asked people to register for answers. :glare:

[peat moss]

@Withcheese, Your right we need some new blood , new ideas . Its fun seeing a new member, on his or her first post fixing a software problem .And coming back for more . Lets keep it easy for them to contribute here . :)

[RealitY]

Ok so moving on now, no lock down.
What about the Guest Forum then...

[peat moss]

Ok so moving on now, no lock down.
What about the Guest Forum then...


It what form ? So they can't post, but can read all the Forum? Or can post in the Guest forum? That sounds good? :unsure:

[RealitY]

Read All.
Post In Guest Forum.

Cant See Why Not Really...

[tesco]

I thought the guest forum was removed because it was all just spam from banned members...

[RealitY]

Well if that happens again itll get removed again although banned members manage to post anyway and the site is different now and with all the search engines and possible traffic lets take a look and see whos there for real then besides we can delete spam no biggy as I said just title it something like...

Guest Forum
Guest can post here withought registration.
Note ALL Spam will be Deleted.

[RPerry]

I don't see whats wrong with the way we have it now... You can view, but not post unless you register. Saves the team a lot of time, and brings in interested members. why mess with a good thing ? :rolleyes:

[manker]

Saves the team a lot of timeAh well, that's the most important thing then. Never mind that this proposal may bring in more members.

A couple of mods have already posted saying that they are willing to sort the guest forum out. Are you speaking for them or is this a personal thing.

Upping membership is the most important thing, moderators who don't have time to moderate ... well, they're not much use. Are they.

[RPerry]

don't think to twist my words ;)

what I'm saying is that the original idea was to lock out guests from viewing the forum at at all. Bad idea, it turns people away. This way people can view topics and if they want to reply, they have to register. I see people complaining of people leeching from their work, even worse if they also able to leech free help ???

we have before had a guest section, and seems most people used it as a "bitch" section, or a " I'm banned so I'm going to spam" section. in other words, it was really never productive

and also, where does it say that I wouldn't look over it ? :rolleyes:

[RealitY]

Ide just think we should try it for test time perhaps and see what happens and am willing to keep a watch on it along with others. I think the worst that can happen is it sux and then we get rid of ti so why be concerned. Thing is if you take the opinion that leaving all forum open to read will allow n00bs to see what we have and join then allowing them to post on the board would better in that thought. I also seem to remember in the early stages of the Guest Forum that some Guest were pleased with the responses they got and were enticed into actually joining...

[sArA]

I am definately with the guest forum idea...and leaving the rest of the forum open.

I think it would encourage people to post in the first instance...which may lead to them wanting to become more involved and therefore to register.

Like reality said, we can always close it again if it gets horrendously abused.

[Peerzy]

I am definately with the guest forum idea...and leaving the rest of the forum open.

I think it would encourage people to post in the first instance...which may lead to them wanting to become more involved and therefore to register.

Like reality said, we can always close it again if it gets horrendously abused.


Deja Vo :unsure:

Well to be honest i don't really mine (like you care what i think anyway :rolleyes: ) However as well as bringing in the new members you need to be keeping them happy. I spoke to a Mod who said they were getting tired of (still) making susgestions and forwarding idea's yet no admin bothers to consider or even read the bloody thread.

[manker]

don't think to twist my words ;)

what I'm saying is that the original idea was to lock out guests from viewing the forum at at all. Bad idea, it turns people away. This way people can view topics and if they want to reply, they have to register. I see people complaining of people leeching from their work, even worse if they also able to leech free help ???

we have before had a guest section, and seems most people used it as a "bitch" section, or a " I'm banned so I'm going to spam" section. in other words, it was really never productive

and also, where does it say that I wouldn't look over it ? :rolleyes:I'm not twisting them, merely interpreting them. I thought your initial post indicated a certain laziness and wondered if you'd expound when prodded. If you're also willing to watch over it then that's at least 3 mods who are up for a bit of modding. Great stuff.

I'm indifferent to a guest section but since there are mods willing to give it a go to see if, in fact, it will up the membership then there can be no harm in it. Your post seemed to be putting the mockers on it because it would save the team some time.

What you say subsequently against the guest forum is kinda negated by what Sara and RealitY have posted - in essence; nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[Peerzy]

I say we have a vote, then whatever the results are not do anything untill we prod Brian enough ( a few months later ofcourse) so it looks like the board is in meltdown again...

[sArA]

Oh...come on peerzy....its only been suggested a couple of days.....start to slag off inaction if nothing gets done in weeks.....thats understandable....but you are perhaps being a little negative.

[Peerzy]

Oh...come on peerzy....its only been suggested a couple of days.....start to slag off inaction if nothing gets done in weeks.....thats understandable....but you are perhaps being a little negative.


Im going on past experiences, Forum Arcade, Extra Skins, Anti Spam, VB move....please by all means prove me wrong :)

Btw who deleted guideworld :unsure:
http://img176.exs.cx/img176/653/whodeleted7lr.jpg

[sArA]

Fair point....we will wait with baited breath.... :ph34r:


Erm.....think there was an unexpected consequence of something or other.....I think it will be back soon.... ;)

[tesco]

guideworld isn't gone it's jsut a smaller link now :huh:

[{I}{K}{E}]

guideworld is back now.

back on-topic:

We have started a discussion about a guest section in the TC

[zedaxax]

All Foreigners need a VISA

[Samurai]

check this out...

http://img166.exs.cx/img166/3707/guests8xn.jpg

:fear: we're being watched :fear:

[RealitY]

Ive seen over 100 Guests at times...

[Skiz]

IMO, everything should be visible to the guest. Whether they're looking for a guide, tutorial, etc., they shouldn't have to register to look at it. If you make them register, then they register with mailinator real quick and come look at the guide and never seen again. If someone really likes what they see, then maybe they'll get a laugh at a thread er something and become a member. I don't think I've ever joined a forum where I couldn't see any of the threads beforehand. That's how you get them interested and registering is by letting them see what FST has to offer, and then they'll want to contribute to a topic or submit guides of their own or get in on a conversation in the Drawing Room. If someone is linked to the forum and it states that they must register to even see the rooms, threads, etc., I don't think they'll even bother. I wouldn't. I guess I just don't see the harm.

[Harsh!]

Whats the point in registering??...
They(Guests) see something they like or something that helped them, they usually bookmark the site & or page...
Then next time they need help or something, they come back.. Either way it generates traffic to the site and possible referrals to potential new members..
Whats the big deal with registering??
Just MO but

[Wallace_Askew]

IMO, everything should be visible to the guest. Whether they're looking for a guide, tutorial, etc., they shouldn't have to register to look at it. If you make them register, then they register with mailinator real quick and come look at the guide and never seen again. If someone really likes what they see, then maybe they'll get a laugh at a thread er something and become a member. I don't think I've ever joined a forum where I couldn't see any of the threads beforehand. That's how you get them interested and registering is by letting them see what FST has to offer, and then they'll want to contribute to a topic or submit guides of their own or get in on a conversation in the Drawing Room. If someone is linked to the forum and it states that they must register to even see the rooms, threads, etc., I don't think they'll even bother. I wouldn't. I guess I just don't see the harm.


I concur

[RealitY]

Nice To See Some Traffic...
Currently Active Users: 146 (32 members and 114 guests)

[{I}{K}{E}]

Guest section is online.

Members -> please dont start threads that are useless, no BS/funny threads, those will be deleted.

[Cheese]

Guest section is online.

Members -> please only start threads that are useless, no BS/funny threads, those will be deleted.

Errr... :ermm:

You want us to start useless threads? :lol:

[Snee]

Roger wilco.

[{I}{K}{E}]

Errr... :ermm:

You want us to start useless threads? :lol:


oops

changed it ;)

[Snee]

Too late, reality already made one.

[{I}{K}{E}]

Too late, reality already made one.

that thread was created on 01-24 ;) and its a pinned thread with info.

[RealitY]

Guest section is online.

Members -> please dont start threads that are useless, no BS/funny threads, those will be deleted.
Ive added that as well...

[enoughfakefiles]

I wonder how long it will be before netty spams it with his open thoughts. :lol: :lol:

[Rick Phlegm]

Is image posting disabled in there?


I can see us getting spammed with goatse and tubgirl in the near future :ermm:

[Virtualbody1234]

Maybe it would be a good idea not to make suggestions as to what could happen next enoughfakefiles and Rick Phlegm?

They don't need encouragement. :dry:

[Rick Phlegm]

Maybe it would be a good idea not to make suggestions as to what could happen next enoughfakefiles and Rick Phlegm?

They don't need encouragement. :dry:
And maybe somebody'll start a Reader's Wives thread with inappropriate pics of their spouses! :ohmy: :shifty:


Seriously tho, I was only bringing something up which might've been overlooked and could potentially cause problems later. I'm assuming it's easily fixed with a slight tweak to the options, but with VB you can't assume anything with the admin controls.

No need for the :dry: smiley. :crying:

[S!X]

Currently 20 members and 74 guests jesus thats pathetic. :ermm: :dry:

[RealitY]

Pic tags appear disabled already...

[S!X]

Pic tags appear disabled already...

:blink: confused. :ermm:

[RealitY]

:blink: confused. :ermm:


Is image posting disabled in there?


Pic tags appear disabled already...
...

[S!X]

oh lol.

[tesco]

We're definately getting more page views than ever before.
http://extremetracking.com/open;sum?login=fileshrt
highest page views was recently, on January 21st, 2005. :01:

[RealitY]

Both my Guide torrents have taken over a thousand hits each since they went up and Google it taking alot now also...