Happy Atheist Forum

Operations Desk => Forum Suggestions & Announcements => Topic started by: Whitney on June 21, 2008, 10:10:37 PM

Title: Guest Posts
Post by: Whitney on June 21, 2008, 10:10:37 PM
It is possible to set up the section of the board where we can allow guests to post.  Please vote in the poll.  If we get mostly yes votes I'll enable guest posting in a special guest section of the forum on a trial basis.  You may change your vote if your opinion changes.  

Right now I am undecided so I created the poll instead of just trying out the guest idea.

Pros:  A guest section might be a good way to get lurkers to start posting and then we can invite them to join as members.  

Cons:  Spam may make the guest area too annoying to be worth any of the benefits so guests would have to pass CAPTCHA for every post (i'll have to make sure that is an option).
Title: Re: Guest Posts
Post by: Asmodean on June 22, 2008, 09:26:36 AM
I don't think that's a good idea unless you are prepared to de-spam that section heavily. Such sections can attract advertisers, google-rank hunters, spammers, trolls and who knows what.  :cool:
Title: Re: Guest Posts
Post by: MariaEvri on June 22, 2008, 01:18:47 PM
agreed with mr asmodean. I can see many people coming and trolling over as guests.
Title: Re: Guest Posts
Post by: joeactor on June 22, 2008, 03:19:44 PM
Put me in the "No" column... for reasons stated by the others...
Title: Re: Guest Posts
Post by: Asmodean on June 22, 2008, 06:03:40 PM
Quote from: "MariaEvri"agreed with mr asmodean. I can see many people coming and trolling over as guests.

mr Asmodean?  :unsure:
Title: Re: Guest Posts
Post by: Whitney on June 22, 2008, 06:12:14 PM
ok...so I think we are going with no on guest posting.  I could make it so guests have to pass captcha but that doesn't always fix spam issue (especially spam by real people).
Title: Re: Guest Posts
Post by: crocofish on June 23, 2008, 12:31:51 AM
With CAPTCHA, I'm not so concerned about spam.  Trolls would probably be a bigger problem.  Since guest trolls would not need to register an account, they could easily post all kinds of annoying messages.  More anonymity and lower barrier to posting attracts more troll behaviors.

I could be wrong; maybe there aren't many lurking trolls out there.  You could try putting the guest section up, and if it becomes a problem, you could take it down.
Title: Re: Guest Posts
Post by: MariaEvri on June 23, 2008, 12:35:34 PM
Quote from: "Asmodean"
Quote from: "MariaEvri"agreed with mr asmodean. I can see many people coming and trolling over as guests.

mr Asmodean?  :unsure:

XD hoops ignore me
Title: Re: Guest Posts
Post by: Smallville on June 23, 2008, 02:37:29 PM
I had to vote no as well.

I "lurked" around on the fringes, reading posts, getting to know people, until I felt it was the right place I wanted to join.

I felt it was and joined.

I feel too many problems could arise from guest postings.

Unnamed/unregistered guests tend to get nasty if they don't have to identify themselves to the group or an individual poster. This has happened on a local board. The political section became so disgusting that I do not bother visiting there anymore.

Trolls are kept in abeyance until they register and then the moderators/administrators can rid us of them once they out themselves.
Title: Re: Guest Posts
Post by: McQ on June 23, 2008, 03:21:51 PM
Yay! I voted first!

(it's the little things that keep me going)

I voted no for the reasons already stated by others.
Title: Re: Guest Posts
Post by: MommaSquid on June 24, 2008, 07:33:44 PM
Quote from: "McQ"Yay! I voted first!

(it's the little things that keep me going)

I voted no for the reasons already stated by others.

Yay!  I voted last!

(I was away from my computer yesterday, so I'm late joining in this thread.)

I also voted no for the reassons already stated.

And now, we dance.   :banna: