Guests posting to the forums

[edl867]

I couldn\'t find the original thread regarding Guests posting to the forums, perhaps it disappeared during the 4 phantom days.

I see where well respected registered users are posting as guest and then posting again to sign / claim the post.

I would like to suggest that when a guest posts, the forum pop up a reminder that they are not logged in, and would they like to.  

That way we can easily see who the posters are and perhaps have more confidence in the post.

What do you think?


Ed L
Gotha, Florida, USA

[ScottYelich]

you aren\'t actually expecting phpnuke to do something useful, are you?

[offroadgeek]

I couldn\'t find the original thread regarding Guests posting to the forums, perhaps it disappeared during the 4 phantom days.

Yes, the post was \"lost\" by the zug timewarp.  sorry

From what I remember from that post, was there were several pros and cons for not allowing guests to post to the forums, and the poll (IIRC) had more votes for NOT allowing guests to post.

This is a community site.  I have no interest in forcing anyone to register with the site to utilize any of our resources (forums, faq, wiki, downloads, etc.).  If people wish to remain anonymous when posting to the forums, thats fine.  We have enough moderators to keep the evil posts at bay.  Besides, if anyone wants to volunteer to be a moderator to one or more of the forums, we\'ll welcome the help!

I see where well respected registered users are posting as guest and then posting again to sign / claim the post.

The session timeout for the forums was set to 60 minutes.  I\'ve changed this to 24 hours, but I don\'t know how helpful this will be.  I don\'t know why so many people are having so much trouble staying logged in... I leave my laptop logged into the ZUG (opera on win2k) at work all day, and don\'t get logged out at all.  Maybe once in a couple days, but not daily.

One can easily tell if they are logged into the forums PRIOR to posting... first, if you reply to a topic or create a new one, if you\'re not logged in, you\'ll have the option to enter a username.  You don\'t have that option when logged in!   Also, in the header of the forums, there\'s a little link for Log in / Log out.  If you see Log in, then do that (unless of course you want to be a guest).

I would like to suggest that when a guest posts, the forum pop up a reminder that they are not logged in, and would they like to.  

That way we can easily see who the posters are and perhaps have more confidence in the post.

I don\'t think you can do this with any forum software.  There\'s a general assumption that one would log in before posting (if they so choose to).  If we are indeed having problems with the forum, then I will research the problem and find a resolution.

you aren\'t actually expecting phpnuke to do something useful, are you?

[lpotter]

I think thats a great idea.

[offroadgeek]

I think thats a great idea.

what do you think is a good idea?   :?:

[zenyatta]

One can easily tell if they are logged into the forums PRIOR to posting... first, if you reply to a topic or create a new one, if you\'re not logged in, you\'ll have the option to enter a username.  You don\'t have that option when logged in!

Does this also apply to Quick Reply? In any case, perhaps the option should be made more prominent. I confess I\'m guilty of posting as Guest but if I saw a big red sign saying \"PLEASE ENTER A USERNAME (YOU ARE NOT LOGGED IN)\" it wouldn\'t ever happen. It might tempt some to impersonate members but such posts can be clearly distinguished by the absence of avatars or user icons.

z.

[zbones]

I think that guest should be allowed to post on the forum.

I have had a problem resolved by a \"guest\" user.

If that person had to register in order to post his helpful reply, he may not have bothered.

If guests are to be \"banned\" then maybe it should be for creating a new post only, but are allowed to reply to an existing post.

just my 2 pence worth.

Peter.

[Anonymous]

I agree!  When a forum makes me register, I often just don\'t bother and go away.  If I get into the discussions, I usually register eventually (as I may here; I\'m finding this to be a useful forum with interesting people and ideas)

I think that guest should be allowed to post on the forum.

Peter.

[Anonymous]

I think thats a great idea.

what do you think is a good idea?   :?:

] I would like to suggest that when a guest posts, the forum pop up a
] reminder that they are not logged in, and would they like to.


 

lpotter

[offroadgeek]

it\'s not possible to configure this with *any* forum software (AFAIK)... I think it\'s pretty simple for a person to look above at the Log in / Log out link to see if they are logged in...

[Taim]

That\'s the first thing I do when I hit any site that I happen to log into (required or not).

I kinda wish we required logins; it\'s easier to keep track of everything when you are able to put a name to a problem.  But I also feel that more problems get resolved because people want to post anonymously.  There is a little caveat to that though, If guests are regular members, it would be nice to have them register as users.  I wouldn\'t want to force anybody to do so, most people who do visit on a regular basis are registered.

As I recall I voted \"no\" to guest submissions, but perhaps it\'s a good thing the vote went MIA

[badger]

you aren\'t actually expecting phpnuke to do something useful, are you?

Fortunately, this site is not running on phpnuke.

Not so easily confused,
Badger

[ScottYelich]

my mistake.  I was told it was.  I, of course, didn\'t look for myself.