Okay, I saw Meshe's post in the "Need Some Advisors" thread and just PMed her directly regarding guest posting, but then decided to post here as well.

I have been debating on blocking "guests" from posting since I got admin rights, but hadn't decided one way or the other. Honestly, I do not like guest posting, but I'm sure some people do. I do like it when it comes to the exchanges just because it's fun to tease and torment our partners, but we can always do the "message central" thing as before so that's always a work around.

At any rate, I might be an admin for the forum, but that does not mean it's *my* forum and I want to get input when it comes to the decisions regarding the forum. So... with that said, please vote on how you feel and feel free to leave suggests/comments regarding this here or start a new thread in this section regarding other things about the site.

Thank you! :kiss:

I haven't registered, so can't vote -- but let me raise my hand for "guests in monthly exchanges only". That sounds perfect!

I voted - guests in monthly bit! God that sounds like I'm talking periods or something :lol:

I'm another 'monthly only guests' :lol:

Seeing that I've been a mod I know first hand when a forum gets popular enough there will be crap loads of spam. I think in exchange forum only is great.

so far I see unanimous voting... makes my job easier! :D

okay, who's the wiseguy to have to vote differently? :whip:

Just teasing... keep the votes coming! :kiss:

I'm not a fan of guest posting either, but I think it's useful for the exchange thingies, but that's just my opinion!

I voted OTHER.....I think that Guests should be allowed to post, but only in a 'guest' section.
I've run a couple of forums and when guests get free reign, or access to an integral member section chaos ensues.
99% of guests will be fine, but it just takes one bad one to seriously ruin your day! (speaking as Admin)
Plus in a guest only section, permission masks can be tweaked so that if there are any malicious posts, there's damage limitation.


Okay...I'll shut up now. :bash:

I think in the exchanges it's fun, but keeping "guest-free" will seriously reduce our spam once they track us down again. I think exchanges only is perfect.

I too voted for only in the monthly forum.

I think that it is sad that people feel that they can only express their own opinions behind the annonyminity of a guest post, but at the same time I think that it is even sadder that folks don't feel that they can express their opinions without being attacked. Everyone has a right to express an opinion and even if it is not the same as the majority they should not be condemed for having a different POV.

I like to think that the majority of people in the world will at least show the respect of allowing someone to express an opinion that is different from their own without feeling the need to attack them for it.

As you can probably tell, this whole subject is one that I tend to get worked up about. lol But I will step off my soap box now and get on with voting.

I voted yes in all forums. I would rather someone say something anonymously (if they feel that they need) than not say something at all.

However, I do see the point about the spam issue. I think what Kaishowing said was good...maybe have a guest area.

I voted for in the monthly forum only. I like to be able to post there as a guest. Otherwise, I see no need for it. The alternative would have to be a guest only forum.

Just a reminder to myself...

Based on a PM I just received, I need to add 1 vote to:

No - I don't like guest posting at all (I believe this is the most fitting from what I received)

and subtract 1 vote from:

Yes - in all sections of the forum

If that's from my PM sand - put me down for only in monthly/exchanges because I feel it's quite relevent there :D

gotcha! ;)

I voted for yes-monthly threads only. Hopefully no one will take advantage of that. I don't believe that the majority of people who are regulars here would do that, but I have been on other forums where people who have never come to forums before post once only to start trouble and vanish again.

that's where IP blocking can come into play ;)

Hi Brewski. How's the baby?

I voted for only in the exchange forum, too. But it would be ok to have a forum just for guests.

I like the guest post ob the exchanges :)

I was just thinking, as I was posting from work and had to guest post since I was not logged in, how about those that like to join us from work or school that might not be able to log in? I mean, I can if I want to, but someone else might not be able to. I know Kel guests posts from work at times.

Just a thought.

I voted for the monthly exchanges only thing...but I'd be okay with a guest section as well. Although, if we have that, I would still like it in the monthly exchanges thing.

I haven't voted yet because my answer would depend on something other things. Sand, did you look into whether or not this forum will allow us to add the mod which allows guests to have to type in the numbers they see on the screen before their post is accepted (as an anti-spam measure). I know I read that if you want something added, you can ask and if they think it would be appropriate for everyone, they will consider adding it. But I didn't look any further than that to see if it's something they've considered or not...

I'm against guest posting for spam reasons unless there's a mod to help curtail that. With such a mod in place, I wouldn't mind the whole forum being open to guest posting and that's the way I'd vote in that case.

However, without such a mod available to us, I'd tend to go with the Exchanges forum only.

I'm also curious, for those that can't or won't log in from work, why is that? I can see maybe not wanting to sign in from a public computer, like at an Internet cafe or something, but I'm not sure why people wouldn't want to log in from work. I'm not criticizing by any means, but I'm just curious of the reasoning to try to decide if it's a valid one for allowing guest posting...

As someone who was threatened with Legal action for something I posted in the old forum I support Guest posting. However I do not like the SPAM postings

I know at my work, we're not even supposed to be posting in forums because if we do it from work and do something illegal, it could cause problems from them down the road. Not that it's stopped me from logging in so far. :lol: But I think there's also an issue with cookies on company computers for some people.

I voted for yes to all. until the spam bots come, natch.

I agree....we don't really have a problem with guests posting nasty things, its only the spamming that was a problem....

Just so everyone is aware, based on the poll results after 24 hours, guest posting has now been shut off outside of the exchanges forum. However, please keep the exchanges forum limited to ONLY exchange forum threads.

Thank you!

I voted other b/c some members aren't registered yet.