Should this be a Members Only Forum?

[The Sand Man]

I've been wondering what people think. Should this forum be private?

If you look through here (http://bowzone.ca/forum/online.php?sort=username&order=asc&pp=200).

You'll notice that a massive portion of the people on this forum don't post, and just visit as guests. Or it's a Bot or Spyder searching and tagging threads for Google and MSN searches.

I'd personally add to discussion, but I'm still a complete newbie. :notworthy

Only question for now. :p

Cheers,
Sand

[Buck Rogers]

Hey Sandman, its Maverick from a "certain flyshing website pertaining to BC". i agree for sure, although as well i am a newbie, i feel we could grow larger if it were members only. although this could cause alot of people to sighn and dash, as well people not discover the site. pros and cons.

[scooter]

Thanks for the feedback guys...We had the forum as a member's only forum and it deterred many folks from joining. We've now put a spam filter in place so the forum spammers can't get in. members come and go from internet forums...that's just the nature of the beast..

Thank you for the feedback though! Apprecaite it!

[HarryH]

There's a lot of people who usually like to lurk instead of posting. Nothing wrong with that IMO.

[The Sand Man]

Hey Sandman, its Maverick from a "certain flyshing website pertaining to BC". i agree for sure, although as well i am a newbie, i feel we could grow larger if it were members only. although this could cause alot of people to sighn and dash, as well people not discover the site. pros and cons.

Hey Maverick, I'm glad to see you're enjoying the Great Outdoors to its full potential. :tongue:

Thanks for the feedback guys...We had the forum as a member's only forum and it deterred many folks from joining. We've now put a spam filter in place so the forum spammers can't get in. members come and go from internet forums...that's just the nature of the beast..

Thank you for the feedback though! Apprecaite it!

I think a forum struggles to start up at first, but at this point, it is the first thing to show up for Canadian Bow Forum. If I'm looking for information elsewhere, I generally don't sign up. I simply inform myself and leave. I guess the fact that archery in general is a fairly universal sport wherever you go lets a generalized forum thrive. But whatever works here is great!

There's a lot of people who usually like to lurk instead of posting. Nothing wrong with that IMO.

To be honest, I accept that some people don't contribute, but they should realize that an online forum is made up of people, just like themselves, who do post. Or maybe I'm just keen to learn. :D

Cheers,
Sand