Should We Require Registration?

Nathan

Contractors Chat Room is growing fast and we are on track to exceed 1,000,000 hits this month!

One of the policies that this board has had is that, while we encourage you to register, your not required to register in order to post a message, vote in a poll, etc...
While this is a great way for new users to get used to the board before they join, it also leaves the board open to people who want to SPAM it or just cause trouble.
The other drawback is that when an unregistered person doesn't sign their post we don't know who were talking to!

So, I want to put it to a vote and see what you guys think.

Should We Require Registration To Post on This Site?

NOTE: You will NEVER have to register in order to read the post on this site... just to post new messages.

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Nathan

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

hatchet

I say you should have to register to post. I've had too many bad experiences with my own forum. Not only register but have the email where they have to click on a link to activate the account from a valid email address. Just my .02

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Rich
WIT Construction Co.
Superior MT Contractor

Floorwizard

no to registering right now, but maybe soon in the future.

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"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

Grumpy

Nathan, here is how you could cinsider handleing it... http://www.quickbooksusers.com/.forums/ If you go to their site and arent logged it you see a few threads, but after your register/login you see all the forums.

Just an idea. I didn't vote yet because I haven't decided.

Nathan

I'll never do that. I feel that anyone should be able to read the posts. Otherwise, why would they join... They have no idea what the forum is about or what benefits it has.

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Nathan

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

hatchet

And it hurts the site as far as search engine robots / spiders go. If a non-reg user can't see it neither can a robot/spider.

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Rich
WIT Construction Co.
Superior MT Contractor

Grumpy

Good points to both of you.

Nathan

Good Point Hatchet...

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Nathan

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

Nathan

You still haven't voted Grumpy... not opinion?

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Nathan

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

Grumpy

MY official answer is "not yet". While I think it is a good idea to require registration, I don't know if all the unregistered posters that post would actually post if they had to register.

We've only had one problem with a milicious unregistered poster, which is what brought on this question. If you notice most of the spammers actually register.

tania

Well if a person wants to cause trouble realy bad he will register too. If someone wants to be in here more often, he will register. So I think just leave it the way it is.
I do like Grumpy`s idea though with just a few threads.
I also say not yet..

don-ohio

How `bout register to post, but let `em read and learn all they want without hassling them to register?
But then if you give them an answer, they would have to register to tell you if you helped or not, and I have always appreciated an answer back,yay or nay.Hmmmmmmm...... don-ohio

Unregistered

No to registering to post/reply. I am a licensed electrician. Sometimes I reply if I think the other party will grasp what I'm saying. I won't register just to do that.

Grumpy

Nate, maybe if you add benefits, other than the obvious, to registering.

Nathan

What are you suggesting... that I add an arcade for registered users or something?

What are some ideas of things I could add to this board to encourage people to register?

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Nathan

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

Grumpy

Yeah for registered people only.

Grumpy

Oh how about a free directory listing or something. I dont know what modules are available for V bulletin but it shouldnt be too hard to write a PHP script that can be added on for a directory listing of members companies.

We are all contractors and we all love new business.

Grumpy

Another idea might be a members only section with guides for business or marketing management. I've posted a few marketing mini-guides I am sure you can expand into full blown campaigns, not to mention there is content out there that can be shared.

I think you can setup a few topics that can be members only... what to put in those topics? Hmmm...

Grumpy

I don't understand why people don't want to register... It's not like any of the information has to be accurate, except the e-mail address.


OH how about @contractorschatroom.com e-mail for registered users?

HCI

I would have to say let the guests read all the posts they want. If they have something to say have them register. Why pay for the milk when you can get the cow for free? Register to Post. Vote Now