XTR2Turbo Posted February 15, 2004 Posted February 15, 2004 Might be too complex but could there be a model where the entire forum is available to anyone free for a limited number of log on attempts (say 3) and then after that must become a member. Of course might be a way of circumventing by creating multple accounts but perhaps password to email account could minimise. David
adhawkins Posted February 15, 2004 Author Posted February 15, 2004 It would need to be a lot more than 3. One thing I suggested was make the whole thing read only (including no access to PMs and e-mailing members) to non members. That way they get access to all the info that is there, but can't ask their own questions. The downside is that they also wouldn't be able to answer other people's questions, which is a concern for some. Andy
stu999 Posted February 15, 2004 Posted February 15, 2004 I am 'the one' (so far) who has voted 'no opinion'. However, that isnt strictly true..... The original thread here seems to be concerned with folk who are not members grabbing the 'bargains' before the WSCC members have chance, folk who have never paid a penny into the club. My gut feeling is this. So what? With the relatively few things I have sold on the board, they have all gone to club members. That hasnt been a decision made by me as such, it has merely been a case of first come first serve. Is the problem as rife as it is made out to be? Besides, if a non member does buy something from the for sale section, indirectly at least, he has contributed to the site, if only by purchasing something from a club member-which has made the sellers WSCC's memebership worthwhile. I tend to agree with V7's observations/comments. That way sellers get the best of both worlds. I quite like the idea of 'members only' initially, a happy medium. But I honestly think it wont solve the original gripe. ANy real bargains tend to be snapped up in minutes....
markg Posted February 16, 2004 Posted February 16, 2004 my vote is yes, but for the reason that webspace is not free, i dont have much time to make use of club events, but i have had some very helpful advice that has saved me more than the membership fee,
Nick M Posted February 16, 2004 Posted February 16, 2004 Another observation... People who are serious about selling stuff are unlikely to advertise it solely on this site, so restricting access to members so that non-members don't snap up the argument is pretty irrelevant if the buyer sees the ad on Findit, Blatchat, Loot, eBay, BookaTrack, Pistonheads, etc., etc., etc.... I like the idea of sellers having to be members to advertise on here, but would, as a seller, prefer my items got as wide an audience as possible. In this case I really don't see the point of any additional restrictions in the adverts section and agree with Nigel's comments.
felters Posted February 16, 2004 Posted February 16, 2004 I'm probably just getting reactionary in my old age, but Andy's point made me think and I've just sorted the non-members by number of posts... there are more than 30 non-members with more than 100 posts each. I know we're all keen to evangalise Westfield ownership, however it is a members club board; and for some reason it doesn't feel right that people making that much use of the club facilities, make no financial contribution. Plus I'm not sure that the question of the club being at risk, in the event of posts making actionable allegations has gone away. Paid up members can at least be traced. On the adverts front - yes, I'd go with the time delay like Loot. I'll have the one of the nurses wheel me back inside now...
Fat Albert Posted February 16, 2004 Posted February 16, 2004 Mud (and others in favour of restrictions) I voted no, the openess of this forum is a refreshing change especially when compared to the site that must not be named. The issue appears to be that you are upset that a pikey non member might buy something that you or another member would otherwise have bought. Instead of imposing artificial restrictions via the technology why not ask sellers (who must be members) to state in their ads whether they will only sell to members. Instead of labelling non members as parasites leave it to members individual conscience. Blanket rules benefit people who make blankets
Blatman Posted February 16, 2004 Posted February 16, 2004 there are more than 30 non-members with more than 100 posts each. How many of those are paid up members, but haven't updted their board account status? Plus I'm not sure that the question of the club being at risk, in the event of posts making actionable allegations has gone away. Paid up members can at least be traced. So can non members. The board tracks IP addresses of *all* contributors. Now, I realise that IP tracking isn't fool proof, but in the event of a "proper" investigation, tracability is do-able. I've been involved in one case of IP tracking some-one who was sending SMS messages to a mobile, from a corporate PC behind a *good* firewall, using an alias. It took some doing, not least because the Police were rubbish, but we got our man, despite him using the "normal" tactics to try to keep his ID a secret.......
Martin Keene Posted February 16, 2004 Posted February 16, 2004 In my opinion anything that restricts the acess to the site will also restrict its appeal. I have sold numerous bits and pieces on this site and I honestly couldn't tell you if the buyers were members or not. For me, the fact anybody can view the as is a major plus, because it is a great place to sell stuff, everything I have advertised on here has been sold.. and generally people don't haggle about the price either We don't want to end up having the members only debate like the dark side...
Man On The Clapham Omnibus Posted February 16, 2004 Posted February 16, 2004 Felters said that more than 30 non-members have in excess of 100 posts each and that he feels that "it doesn't feel right that people making that much use of the club facilities, make no financial contribution". Has he analysed the nature of these posts? Without checking I cannot be sure whether I am one of the infamous 30 but I am very aware of my honorary status as a non-member, feel a little guilty about it, and therefore endeavour not to sponge on the knowledge of the paid up members. I really try hard to contribute more than I learn from posing questions to the forums. Each of us has an area of knowledge and/or experience in which we can contribute and if we non-members who cannot justify the expense for all sorts of reasons (personal circumstances differ widely; I am in agreement with V7slr on this) can add more than we gain surely that's better than not posting at all. For my part I give an undertaking to always make two or more inputs of information in exchange for one item of knowledge gained, and to pay up for full membership in the unlikely event that I ever buy anything from a member. Who knows, I might even find that my conscience gets the better of me and stump-up one of these days.
S8ight Posted February 16, 2004 Posted February 16, 2004 as it looks like this is going to be about 50/50 so why not have a new for sale section that only members can view ? that way if posters want to sell stuff to members only they can that do it that way ? only suggesting that to hopefuly stop this post getting to 10 pages long and stop any bad feeling arising ?
adhawkins Posted February 16, 2004 Author Posted February 16, 2004 only suggesting that to hopefuly stop this post getting to 10 pages long and stop any bad feeling arising ? I would hope that we're all adult enough for that not to happen. I'm more than happy to go along with whatever the concensus of opinion is, I'm hardly likely to storm off in a huff just cos you don't agree with me (even though you'd obviously be wrong not to ). Andy
Bananaman Posted February 16, 2004 Posted February 16, 2004 One more for the NO camp. I can see the resoning for the idea but i look on other Board rooms for sale sections & am not a member of them as VLR7 says it would get very expensive if you had to pay to all the BR's that i looked at. Personally i think it's a bit of a negative response & belive that ease of access applying for membership (via internet Credit Cards application) will make more of a difference that members only sections. Also we should all badger non-members, in a light harted fashion to sign-up.
adhawkins Posted February 16, 2004 Author Posted February 16, 2004 I disagree...... And who are you? Andy
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