I notice that there are many guests visiting BB everyday. May I know why BB don't make some of the forums available only to members? People will just come here to retrieve information without logging in, that seems a bit selfish, put it bluntly... ^_^

One of the main reasons Big Boards has so many guests online at once is due to the "Cut off for active user display in minutes" option, which we have increased to 60 minutes to know who's been online in the past hour, and to honestly, make Big Boards look more active.

I can see both sides, but at the same time wouldn't we be just as selfish to hide different areas from our guests? :/

What is so difficult to register then log in? They will still get free resources, fast support after logging in, no? What gets me is they don't post, what they seem to be doing is come, "steal" then run... It would not hurt them to atleast introduce themselves, would it? It will definately make BB even active if more people are willing to post something. Please don't get upset, if the hat fits you, wear it.

Well, they do have to register and log in to get personalized support. :) However, the archive is largely a "self-serve" type of resource, and I think a lot of people who are not BB members have it bookmarked and use it regularly. They show up on the active user list as "guests".

Another reason is that as people use the code and skin archives and get comfortable here, we hope they will want to become contributing members of the community instead of registering just to get a code or ask one question and then never visit again.

Often, when the resource parts of a board are hidden unless you are logged in, or required to post a certain amount before having access, you have an inflated member number and some posts, but not really any more significant activity or loyalty to your board. I guess it's just a different way of looking at things. Is the concern to protect information and get a big membership (or what looks like one)...or is it to provide a service and make it accessible to as many people as possible?

But I agree with you, king, that it would be nice to hear more from the many "drive-by" users who benefit from the resources we have here.

I'm not upset with you at all, Louis (I assume that's your real name?). In fact, I'm glad to see that you have brought up such an inquiry. We're always glad to hear thoughts and criticism from our members. You're the type of person that helps Big Boards improve!

Having members drop-in, introduce them self and contribute to the community would be great! However, Big Boards main task is to provide board owners with an opportunity to find what they need for their board, whether they're a member or a guest. Members will always have benefits that guests don't have though.

We actually have an idea in the making that will be implemented in a month or two. This idea isn't going to be another new feature for Big Boards, but something that will expand Big Boards through a communicational environment.

I don't think there are many people realise that the amount of time you and Cory have spent collecting those resources, sorting them,then putting them in the right order so that people can search for them easily, do they?(people tend to take things for granted when they get too comfortable :doh: ) I know you can't make people post, but I do think that it is possible to do something to encourage people posting such as members viewable only forums, yes? ^_^

Yep, that's my real name.
Sorry, I am gonna say it again about people taking things for granted when they're provided with everything. BB are too generous in my opinion(almost everything is put in order, and you even have the previews, which are something that not many forums provide), that's why people don't really bother asking questions here. I seldom ask for help from IF forum now since joining BB. However, I do encourage people to get "fast" support here when I visit there. I just hope that BB will grow into a very busy forum where lots of activities are going on. ^_^

We would certainly never hide all of the archives from our guests, specific sections maybe, but not the archive as a whole. I can see how it would be beneficial to us, but is that what we're really looking for? Benefits for us or our viewers? It would be nice if Big Boards was more active and more members contributed, but our mission is simple: to provide extensive resources and high quality support to all board owners and InvisionFree users alike. Guests that wish to take advantages of our resources may do so. :)

Activity isn't really a priority of ours here at Big Boards Resources. Our new "future releases" will depend much on activity though.

I have a feeling half of these guests might be spam bots. :confused: Or at least some of them, but it's a shame (if they were genuine people) that they don't register. :R

I agree with theking111 BB should have members only forums but still keep the main indexes avaible to guests.

I'd say most guests would be spam bots, considering that a lot of the guest are seen viewing Members Only Resources by myself, and other members using the board.

:O

quite and old topic eh?

And yes, most of them are most likely spam bots.

Clay :clay:

Actually, it's interesting to see this topic come up again, because if you notice, since this was posted, we do now have members-only resource forums, the challenge archive and the club150 forum that are for members only. So as we continue on, we will keep seeking a balance of generosity in providing resources, andat the same time, try to grow a loyal community....not just one that registers to get something and then never posts again.