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.
