Forcing Registration -- Thoughts?

[Myrm]

Hello everyone.

vBulletin has an available addon that will force users to register after viewing X amount of threads.

It seems like this community will forever be stinted growth-wise when people have no reason to register. Also, by having people register, they are one step closer to becoming part of the conversation and/or creating new conversations.

What is the community's thought on implementing such a feature? You can simply vote on the poll above. If you want to give a more detailed explanation of why it should or shouldn't be implemented, just post on this topic!

Regards,

Shane

 

[Silinrul]

Would this limit search engines and other such methods that generate hits?

 

[Dorigon]

I don't really see a negative, here, unless it would cut down on the amount of hits you get (and thus lower ad profits)... not sure how that works, really.

Are all those guests real people, or are many of them bots?

 

[Oliks]

I understand the thoughts behind wanting such a feature, and i can also see all the positives.
But i also see the negatives.. I know lots of people, who check-out twinkinfo, and who have been doing so for 2-3 years without making an account.
I even know from myself. There are many sites i check out regularly, but i wouldnt make an account, since its such a commitment.

I see that it would help make this community much bigger, but i can also easily see that twinkinfo would lose quite a lot of spectators.

 

[Dorigon]

its such a commitment.

Honestly, it takes 3-4 minutes tops to register, put in your info, and click the 'Remember me?' box.

 

[Mocha]

As long as Registration is super snappy (which I believe it is?)

I thought this add-on has been in effect for a while now??

 

[Oliks]

Honestly, it takes 3-4 minutes tops to register, put in your info, and click the 'Remember me?' box.

Registrating isnt the commitment.
It's just the need to check up on something you're registrated to..

 

[Dorigon]

Registrating isnt the commitment.
It's just the need to check up on something you're registrated to..

Perhaps I'm just looking at it a different way than you, but I don't see how the act of registering creates a commitment. I myself registered three years ago, but went the majority of that time inactive on TI since the official forums better suited my needs at the time.

 

[Luna]

Would it cost anymore to you to have this included or is it just an extra.

I would say go for it, its not to hard to register and I think most people could justify a quick-n-easy registration to allow themselves to continue viewing the site.

 

[Aelobin]

This might just be me, but personally I think it's a bad idea (or rather, "unnecessary").

If someone wanted/needed to post here, they would register whether this system is in place or not. Preventing them from reading may be seen as a nuissance, which could deter them from visiting the site again. It also screams the word "desparate" (at least to me), and would probably just result in a forum database filled with unused accounts.

 

[Wafflecakes]

I would say no. I know I never register for any forum until I have spent months reading it and decide to join.

Doesn't really seem to accomplish anything to restrict it. If someone wants to post they can register...

 

[siwtz]

I don't know why people vote yes for this. There is no point in forcing them to register. It will only give this site fewer viewers. If they want to post, they will register.

Don't underestimate the laziness of people.

 

[Snack]

The only reason for such a feature to be enabled, would be if it benefitted the website, like more ads, money from commercials etc, otherwise I think it sends the message that you have to be in the 'inner circle' to be a part of this, which I think is wrong.
Many people enjoys following a website without actualy being a part of it, and these people might actualy quit using Twinkinfo, which is kinda against the whole websites purpose, to help new twinkers, debate current states and share experiences.

I see the positive side of it, to get more active members, but these members that will be forced to register, will most likely not post anything, and just keep following threads passively.

So unless it helps Twinkinfo as a website, i see no point in forcing people, who most likely won't add anything constructive - not that it is bad at all, to register.

 

[Yde]

The only reason for such a feature to be enabled, would be if it benefitted the website, like more ads, money from commercials etc, otherwise I think it sends the message that you have to be in the 'inner circle' to be a part of this, which I think is wrong.
Many people enjoys following a website without actualy being a part of it, and these people might actualy quit using Twinkinfo, which is kinda against the whole websites purpose, to help new twinkers, debate current states and share experiences.

I see the positive side of it, to get more active members, but these members that will be forced to register, will most likely not post anything, and just keep following threads passively.

So unless it helps Twinkinfo as a website, i see no point in forcing people, who most likely won't add anything constructive - not that it is bad at all, to register.

Agree with this, and would go further and say this would likely hurt TI.

Anyone who wants to participate in discussion will do so anyway, and a people just browsing the site and wishing to gather information without logging in will just stop visiting, I think.

Also the first 5 posts someone stumbles over might not be great guides and content, which could alienate people pretty quickly.

 

[Myrm]

Decision has been made to not add this in.

Thanks for your input!