Should we password protect these forums?

[Sharky]

Should we have the main forums password protected so only members can read the threads?

[TheEnforcer]

I would give a hearty no and I'm sure you can guess my reasons why.

[DragonKing]

I'd like to hear why not

[D-man]

humm - yeah id like to know the pro's and con's before I vote - Whats the reason for the idea? And what does that effect -

[Rochard]

You've already invited in people who aren't old school so why bother?

[Streamray Elli]

Why would we?

[D-man]

You've already invited in people who aren't old school so why bother?

who - because no one we invited is not old school - let me know - i'll take care of that right now

[DragonKing]

We have a 3 year minimum to be considered in.

[Rand]

I voted yes. If you are going to have an exclusive group, then it's best to know who is reading. There are plenty of public boards if someone is trying to get the word out about something.

I mod a few Google groups and when these members only groups have been polled about allowing anonymous members they have overwhelming said not to allow them. A community doesn't need peeping Tom's, and, if I understand the intent of this board, then people who can't join really have no business reading either. My two cents.

[XXXPhoto]

FWIW, the 'exclusive' members board got too hard to maintain on YNOT way back when and because folks knew it wasn't secure didn't post a hell of alot there at the end... As long as you have a 'gatekeeper' in the mix it should run smoothly...

Some newbie has balls to post and hold his or her own then frankly that's one of the folks I'd like to work with... no sense shutting down that possibility... just my 2cents...

[DragonKing]

The solution I think is One board for public use, still old school invite only, but the business board can be protected. Any sensative issues can be done in there

my 2 cents

[Linkster]

DK - I agree with the biz forums - as mentioned in another thread there are a lot of promotional ideas that newbies and haters love to run their mouths about on other boards that should be respected as part of the biz and be able to be discussed openly without having it be advertised in other communities.

[GTP Dave]

I myself really don`t give a flying hoot... locked down or not.

But locked down would result in less breadcrumbs

[GTP Dave]

Question, does a locked VB forum lose its se value...any VB pros know?

[gonzo]

Question, does a locked VB forum lose its se value...any VB pros know?

Password protect it and it wont get indexed.
The question is do you want it indexed?

[rhetorical]

I have always said that password protection was important. However, the smoke and mirrors have been exposed years ago, so who cares? Let it all hang out.

[RockyRude]

Yeah,

I agree there really aren't any industry secrets this day and time....so don't know what password protection would really be securing.....information that has been posted and hashed over for years and years now. This isn't a new industry with gaurded secrets.

If your really old school then you have been around from the hay days of adult and the newness of the business to what it is now.

[jennidahling]

I think locking it would add to the exclusivity of the board, as well as a "hold" time for new members, so admin can verify their OS-ness...

[gonzo]

I think locking it would add to the exclusivity of the board, as well as a "hold" time for new members, so admin can verify their OS-ness...

How does that translate to monitization?

[DragonKing]

Thanks for everyones valuable input!

We have decided to keep the main board public.
We have created a business forum called Think Tank that is password protected.
I sent everyone their passwords, If you didnt get it, private me and id be happy to resend it!

[D-man]

maybe we should revise the poll and make it so only members can read the fourms - thats no a problem - we don't need lurkers anyway

discuss:

[gonzo]

maybe we should revise the poll and make it so only members can read the fourms - thats no a problem - we don't need lurkers anyway

discuss:

That is a laughable statement as well if your going for revenue.

[D-man]

why does this thead show up as locked?

[DragonKing]

I locked it.
The discussion was solved, there is now a private forum Think Tank!

Everyones need have been met!