Author Topic: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?  (Read 3069 times)

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Offline Benioff

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A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« on: May 04, 2009, 12:27:21 PM »
It's something I stumbled upon when logging in at different computers. I can't even see what's happening without registering first?

Shouldn't a passerby NOT be able to post on this site BUT should at least be able to SEE what they're missing out on so they either won't ignore and forget about this place or join blindly?

I've also found simply visiting the chat room to be very difficult than it needs to be but that's another topic.
« Last Edit: May 04, 2009, 12:32:04 PM by Benioff »

esplin

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2009, 12:44:02 PM »
we cant control the chat issues, its given everyone (myself included) problems.

all a passerby has to do is login as a guest to see the forum.

Offline wildweathel

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #2 on: May 04, 2009, 12:47:20 PM »
Woah, you're right.  

I remember there being a discussion about whether some of the more sensitive boards should be member-only, but I didn't know Richard decided to take the whole forum in that direction.  Personally, I think that's a bit much.  Maybe this has something to do with the introduction of Social.

Login as guest?  It was not obvious to me when I checked.   I'll go try again.
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Offline Benioff

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2009, 12:57:47 PM »
Yeah. This place is pretty strict. I've talked to others and not only are some people banned forever which is pretty mean (as if a temporary ban-even a LONG temporary ban-isn't good enough for a simple website dedicated to a years-long cancelled book series) but also they block their IP addresses! They don't even get warnings!

So not only can they not recreate an account on their computer, they can't even see what's going on (which in my opinion is a bad punishment because they can't see what they're missing out on)!
« Last Edit: May 06, 2009, 10:53:27 AM by Benioff »

esplin

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2009, 01:14:55 PM »
People who get banned deserve it -.-
(the point of banning someone is so they cant see whats going on and harass members.  If exmembers could see posts they could get IM screen names and bother people.)

also, guests are allowed to view the forum, you can see them online.

Offline wildweathel

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #6 on: May 04, 2009, 01:39:03 PM »
Re: Guest mode

Okay, I see that there are indeed three guests online right now.  How they do it, I can't figure out.  I logged out, clicked "Forum Home" and printed that page to the attached PDF.  I don't know how to get past that page, the forum landing page, other than logging in.

As arrogant as this is, I believe my Internet skillz are above average.  If I can't easily view the fora as a guest, I'm pretty sure most people coming in from Google are going to have trouble, too.


Re: Strictness
Ben, nearly all internet communities reserve the right to perma-ban members who refuse to follow the community rules.  As I see it, this is Richard's house and he has every right to throw out people who refuse to be civil.  If he didn't, RAF would be ruined by a few obnoxious jerks.  Richard and the staff aren't being mean, just good hosts.

In my experience and opinion, RAF isn't particularly strict.  As long as you're courteous (I have seen people banned over this), not pornographic (hasn't been a problem, from my perspective), and respect the mods (which is to say, you at least hold your tongue and follow instructions when they put on their mod-hats) you won't have a problem.  

In fact, I prefer a place that requires people to earn a permanent ban--and then gives it--to places where Rule-9-style ("There aren't any rules for mods either--enjoy your ban.") temporary bans apply.

From what I've gathered, IP addresses are used to confirm staffs' suspicions about a returning troll.  They are not used to automatically filter, again, as far as I know.
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esplin

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #7 on: May 04, 2009, 01:48:07 PM »
He's got it right, and I cant figure out the guest thing either.

But seeing how Richard is busy, (and im lazy) im going to stick with the fact that we continue to have new memebers and guests so im not worried about it ATM.

Offline Richard

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2009, 05:23:51 PM »
Sig changes to RAF. Also, Guests have to login to view RAF. Just testing the latter though; nothing permanent.
2:23 PM Feb 15th from twitterrific
http://twitter.com/richardonraf/status/1213446065

Guests have to login to view the forum.

The guests you see are spiders (Google, Yahoo, etc)

Offline Richard

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2009, 05:24:26 PM »
I've also found simply visiting the chat room to be very difficult than it needs to be but that's another topic.
What problems are you having?

Offline adamjared

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2009, 06:45:19 PM »
Sig changes to RAF. Also, Guests have to login to view RAF. Just testing the latter though; nothing permanent.
2:23 PM Feb 15th from twitterrific
http://twitter.com/richardonraf/status/1213446065

Guests have to login to view the forum.

The guests you see are spiders (Google, Yahoo, etc)


Ok, but what if the guests don't like to join something before knowing what it is about? We aren't only about Animorphs, which is all that people get from the name. People coming to our Forum Home, won't know that we also talk about Everworld, Remnants, Gone, and other things. What if someone is looking for a 'Gone Forum' and come here through whatever search engine (which apparently CAN see past the login page and see the words 'Gone Forum'), and can't find said forum? They will just get frustrated and leave, not knowing if people are actually actively talking about that series.

I agree that we are trying to increase member counts, and page views, and everything of the such, but i personally don't want people just joining to see what the search engine found, deciding that wasn't what they were looking for, and then never coming back. We might see an increase in members with zero posts because of that.

I dunno just voicing my opinion...

Offline Liz

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2009, 11:07:51 PM »
I think sometimes I can view the forum without being logged in and sometimes I can't.  Is that supposed to happen?

It might have been a while ago though, I don't remember.

Offline goom

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #12 on: May 04, 2009, 11:11:22 PM »
Yeah. This place is pretty strict. I've talked to others and not only are some people banned forever which is pretty mean but also they block their IP addresses! So not only can they not recreate an account on their computer, they can't even see what's going on!

it's for a reason.
we don't want them back.

as for the chat, what are you having trouble with?

personally, i don't mind it the way it is.
if it comes to it, we could allow only certain threads for guests to view..
« Last Edit: May 04, 2009, 11:22:25 PM by gµm »

Offline Benioff

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #13 on: May 06, 2009, 10:53:07 AM »
Chatting is just too big a hassle for something so minor. As if punching in our regular names and passwords and then simply entering the chatroom isn't good enough. Why all this security?

There's too much security here. It's way too strict.

Don't get me wrong and please don't get offended. I love Animorphs and I love talking to other fans but is all this necessary. It's not like Animorphs ever set the world on fire and this isn't the most active website in the world to justify all hoops to jump through (or to initially penalize and offender but then forgive and forget).

Offline morfowt

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #14 on: May 06, 2009, 10:55:49 AM »
I don't think needing another name and password on the chat is intentional. I think it's because it's hosted on another site...

Offline Duff

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #15 on: May 06, 2009, 12:23:39 PM »
Most rafians like the added security, especially on the chat because now trollers and anonymous lurkers are at 0

There has never been a banning where the person didnt deserve it and wasnt asking for it, people arent disciplined for minor rule breaking they are disciplined for blatant disrespect

I agree though the forum should at least have limited viewing for non-forum members, i lurked for about a month before i finally decided to join, but if the guest thing is easy then thats fine

Offline Benioff

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #16 on: May 12, 2009, 09:31:43 AM »
Quote
Most rafians like the added security, especially on the chat because now trollers and anonymous lurkers are at 0

Anonymous lurkers??? Who cares if they're not members as long as they don't bother anyone?

Quote
There has never been a banning where the person didnt deserve it and wasnt asking for it, people arent disciplined for minor rule breaking they are disciplined for blatant disrespect

I don't know that whole story about what's gone on here or the seriousness of whatever some simple guy from the internet devoted to a semi-popular book series from years ago but banning a person from a website AND their IP address FOREVER just strikes me as really extreme.

Are they at least warned? Are they told first that they'll be banned so they won't come stumbling here only to be left completely dumbfounded?  If no to both questions, that's extremely disrespectful to the members here.

Who decides this? Just the moderators? There's not a vote among all the members here? A trial for the offender? Any other way isn't exactly very democratic, now is it?

That's just my opinion and not a knock on anyone. Thanks for informing me and it seems like this viewing problem for non-members has been solved. This is my last post on the matter here.
« Last Edit: May 12, 2009, 09:34:19 AM by Benioff »

esplin

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #17 on: May 12, 2009, 11:31:25 AM »
This isnt a democracy (among the staff it is, but members aren't included).  Yes warnings are issued.
« Last Edit: May 12, 2009, 11:37:05 AM by Argosax the Chaos »

Offline adamjared

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #18 on: May 12, 2009, 01:39:53 PM »
This isnt a democracy (among the staff it is, but members aren't included).  Yes warnings are issued.
what is that supposed to mean? you're saying that a democracy exists on this forum that doesn't include the people themselves? ok...

Offline wildweathel

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #19 on: May 12, 2009, 01:45:25 PM »
Well, I think Russ meant oligarchy.  Whatever.  I'm happy with it.  It may be a despotism, but it's a good despotism. 
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Offline Richard

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #20 on: May 12, 2009, 02:43:46 PM »
I'm here trying to picture everytime a member offends another, or breaches the guidelines there is a vote by the members. lol

esplin

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #21 on: May 12, 2009, 03:19:21 PM »
What weathel said,  The staff cooperates and we have casual votes but we cant include everyone.  Its a forum not your government  ::)

Offline goom

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #22 on: May 12, 2009, 05:28:33 PM »
What weathel said,  The staff cooperates and we have casual votes but we cant include everyone.  Its a forum not your government  ::)

exactly.

and i'll repeat again, none of the people IP banned deserve to ever come back on the forum.
disobeying rules or insulting another member might get you suspended, but those people stepped way out of line.
i'd consider RAF very lenient, on that part, actually. before i was a mod, every year all the bans were repealed and the members could come back.
it's changed since then, but still..

Offline adamjared

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Re: A Passerby Can't Even SEE What's Going On?
« Reply #23 on: May 12, 2009, 07:50:06 PM »
I'm here trying to picture everytime a member offends another, or breaches the guidelines there is a vote by the members. lol

Oh ok, i didn't realize the original comment was about banning members, My bad!!