Registrating before posting?

[deusex]

It has been requested that I make registering mandatory before posting in the hope that it will increase the activity on the boards.

Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Do you think it will increase or decrease the activity on the boards.

I will say that registering is free and no information is shared or used. I do not send out email and when registering, you have the option of filing in as little or as much information as you desire and also have the option of what you want to make viewable to the public.

Let me know your feelings on this.

[Unregistered]

I don't see how registering with a fake name will increase responses (registering with a real name won't either). If you want to increase responses, keep it easy to post. Requiring registration adds a step that many will not take.

I'm not sure what people hope will happen if people are forced to add a user name.

I'd say keep it the way it is, if someone wants to post, they can without having to jump through any hoops.

[mtc]

Registering is positive . . it helps build/bind a forum or group and it means that guys can be in touch with one another - either by email or very discreetly by a private message, member to member.
[ I'm not sure how deliberate the pun was - forgive me! :-) ]

I guess it also helps/encourages posters to think about what they are posting, whereas anonymous posters may drift in, say what the hell they like, with no consequences for themslves and then drift away again.

mtc

[deusex]

The beneifits about registering is:
-It creates a community and therefore incentive to come back.
-It allows us to get to know about each other.
-Allows us to find out what type of gear they like
-Allows us to check out their personal sites or favorite sites if a user has them.
- Allows others to contact them through private messages (a great feature if a user doesn't want his email displayed)
- Allow users to include an avatar (a photo of themselves or type of underwear that represents them)
- Allows users to create a signature so you don't have to type one each time you post
- Allows users to customize how they browse and use the forums.

So...think about that....then vote.

[briefs30]

I like what the unregistered guy said above. I think the best way to maximise inclusion is by giving people the choice. It's the internet. We are adults. If it doesn't work for whatever reason, we can have another discussion about it to decide what, if anthing, should be done.

I'll use this board as long as I get something back from it. I think that's the same for most users. If anonymity is part of that enjoyment, then it would be unthinkable to me to exclude people for that reason. I regard myself as anonymous in the context of this group, even though I am registered. It makes me question the validity of registration in the first place.

I agree about all the benefits of registration listed by the group owner. I just don't see why we can't have both.

Ultimately it's the group owner who decides.

Just my tuppence worth.

[deusex]

I'm going to keep this poll going for now - and I'm also not going to make it a requirement to register...yet. Any forum is a slow climb and it seems that guys who are really into gear are registering and becoming regulars. I've been doing a lot of advertising and link exchanges lately, so the numbers have started to climb a bit - especially the number of guests viewing the site.

[Unregistered]

As a newcomer (that is unregistered)...I dunno. I was surprised that I could post and not register...but happy at the same time. I'm just not sure if i want to actually register and join the board...though maybe i will. This is actually my second time visiting, and it seems like a pretty cool place. Joining would be one step...as for posting and posting pics..oh man. That'd be another step, but i'll take it one step at a time.

[Jock's away]

As a new member I think you should register

I feel glad that I have other commited guys out there who share my interest in undies.

It does give a chance to build friendships whilst talking about our passion

[pnhmrk]

Another new guy here - I was recommended to this site by chance - I think that I'm pleased to have found it:p It's good to be able to feel part of a group with like minded people.

As someone who has been involved with a couple of other sites I feel that you should encourage registration. Is it possible to have some forums open to all and the remainder members only? As long as you keep something interesting in the open forums you will encourage people to register. If you then restrict photos to the members only sections it can save quite a lot in bandwidth charges;) .

Just an idea - if open and members forums are possible on the same board!

[deusex]

Thanks for all your feedback. There are a lot of great points.

As of right now, bandwidth isn't an issue with the site and most people who would register if it was manditory seem to be registering anyway. There is the occasional poster that doesn't register and they usually post once or twice and go on their way. They still contribute to the forums with their comments and if registration was mandatory wouldn't post at all.

Let's face it, there's not a lot of trust with any site that's adult in nature on the web, and I think that's what prevents a lot of people signing up to things.

Down the road I want to enhance the software that runs the boards to include more advanced profiles for members including personal galleries and more bio info - maybe when I implement that I will implement the mandatory registration, or as pnhmrk suggested forums that only registered users can access.

As for now, I just want to increase the traffic and keep the feelings about the boards positive when people visit. I think word of mouth seems to be even more effective at getting people to the sites than the advertising i'm doing on google and other search engines.

[The Bondsman]

I would encourage everyone to register. If you have an opinion you want taken seriously, then you should at least do it under a name out of respect to the other readers. We can then build up an idea of your persona. I find it hard when reading "anonymous" postings from some guy called "unregistered" to tell him apart from several of his relations who also post.
Now I know that registration doesn't necessarily give us your real name, but that isn't the point. It at least means you are serious and have a personality others can converse with. I would think that this interaction is one of the main points of boards like this.
Hiding behind anonymity? Why? This makes "flaming", personal attacks and other such nonsense too easy.
I say if you've got something to say, and your opinion is just as valid as anybody else's, then let us at least know who we are talking to.
I get far more pleasure talking to personalities than dis-embodied snippets that have no follow up or continuity.
Regards from

THE BONDSMAN

[JohnH]

My experience with other boards leads me to believe that registration is the best way to discourage flamers from posting, and minimize off-topic posts -- though I will say that the unregistered posters here seem to be really great guys (or else you mods spend most of your days deleting the unwanted stuff!).

I guess I have no problem at all with folks who wish to give the board a "test drive" from posting unregistered. But to those who plan on being around for awhile, well, PLEASE register! We'll get to know each other a lot better, help build the board into a real community, and maybe just make some good and close friends along the way! Best to all

John

[deusex]

To be honest, I'm sometimes I'm amazed that we don't get flamers . I've only had to remove 2 posts in the past 6 months for homophobic comments. I generally check the board hourly throughout the day to ensure everything is cool, so even if some asshole started posting crap, I'd have it removed pretty quickly. As I've mentioned in the announcements thread a while ago - If some flamers do manage to post stuff, I've requested everyone to just ignore them, as responding to them just fuels the fire - and that's what they want.

When I first launched the board a year ago, I was getting a couple of guys who regulary posted spam for straight adult sites in all the forums. I would ban them but they would come back. But as the board got busy, they disappeared.

I think that because the board is so focused on it's subject, that it just doesn't attract the flamers.

[Diet Coke Three]

I am one that is not reg. with you now, because, if you ever get stung once, you will want to wait awhile. I am sure most poster of this board remember, the board of the past "Top Drawer" and I am sure Bondsman remember's it. One guy wrecked it because he always tried to find something negative about everything that was posted, So I wish you well. I did reg. with that board, and I was getting 5 to 10 sex want adds e-mails each week.

[deusex]

Diet Coke Three,

It really is your perogative whether to register or not. I have a personal relationship with many of the regulars on here now, and I'm sure they will vouch for me, my honesty and sincerity in running these sites and this board.

As far as negative posts go - I simply don't allow it. I get rid of flamers and anyone spouting homophobia.

If there comes a time when we are getting flamed a lot or there are actually negative posts happening, then I will make it mandatory to register, but until that time (crossing fingers) we will go on as we have been for the past year - as a devoted bunch of friendly and encouraging guys who are into the various aspects of our underwear fetish.

Not that my words will probably mean much to you, but there will never be spam sent to the members of this board. I despise it as much as you.

that is all,

[JohnH]

Diet Coke Three, I'm another veteran of TopDrawer, and the problem there was that the board wasn't moderated well. Or at all, really, until the very end. The mod COULD have deleted inappropriate posts, but didn't. He COULD have tracked disruptive posters by IP address, and reported them to their ISPs, but didn't. What I saw on this board gave me confidence to register immediately, and I feel quite at home here. Register, and let us get to know you a bit better! Thanks,

[rebel_heart]

i think that people should be encouraged to register here and then post. that way we get a ot of people interacting in a more closer sense and not just total randomness.
:p

[Newbie2it]

As someone who lurked here for about 2 years, I think in all the years lurking, I might have posted just once. Its not that I didn't want to join. I totally enjoyed following the boards and discussions. There were lots of times I wanted to post something regarding something or another, however, I never did. Which I suspect might be the case with a lot of people who visit the boards, but never post.

Its not the fact that I couldnt post that stopped me. It really was my thinking that "Hey, Its not really my place to say anything here. But it definately didnt stop me from looking at the posts and enjoying the pictures. I knew I could post, I just chose not to. But now that I finally joined LOL look out ;) I forgot how I originally found the forum. I think it might have been a late night search that turned something up, but whatever the case. I always respected the privacy of others here while not a member.

I dont think its a bad idea to possibly do something regarding pictures to entice membership, However I also think it could be a turn down to someone who wants to just take a look and not be afraid they are getting hooked into some pay porn site. Its kinda one of the things that kept me coming back to read more posts. I knew I could do so without charge, but at the same time, I respected your privacy.

Just my angle.
Paul

[deusex]

As you can see by the date, this thread was from a while ago. Since then I made the decision to make registering mandatory to post mostly because we were getting a lot of people spamming the boards. Any one who lurks here will quickly figure out that I run an honest board (for free even) and that my intentions are not to grab email addresses or personal information but just to create a space on the net for like minded people to hang on and chat and share some photos.

One of the other factors that forced my decision was guest posts from underage guys and trolls and flamers.

Not sure about anyone else, but I think the boards and user galleries are plenty busy regardless of the registration policy.

cheers,

[prusso171]

Hi Duesex
My introduction to this site is exactly the same as newbie2it's. Hi to you too :) You would think that we were twins.
Anyway after reading posts for a long time, You get to know what kind of people frequent this site. Most are of same mind. There are about four or five members who I would consider my friends and wouldn't hesitate to invite into my home. (they don't know it yet)
After registering I now have the chance to interact with all of these people without fear. I have only been registered three days and I have four people on my buddy list and hope to expand it. I'm really having a blast.
Thanks to you :)

[deusex]

Prusso171,

Glad you took the plunge and I can pretty well quarantee that you'll have plenty more on your buddy list in short time. I'm a pretty good judge of character and you seem like a decent person. (not bad from a few sentences!) ;)

Welcome to the registered life! hehe

[SweatyAussie]

I seem to remember this thread from some time ago, but I don't remember it being attached to a poll, and I don't see my earlier comments on the subject, so here goes:

Yes, it should be mandatory if someone wants to post anything to the site. Why should it be such a big deal? It's free, and there is no compulsion to supply your real name, email address etc to anyone except the site manager.

To anyone is reluctant to trust the site manager with these bits of info, I would say think of it this way: if he lets you post as an unregistered user, he is trusting YOU not to post underage photos, not to advocate things that are illegal, not to be abusive to others, not to impersonate someone else's nickname, etc. Someone said "we are all adults". Well yes, and there are plenty of adults about who kill people, rape people, steal things etc. Being adult does not necessarily make you trustworthy.

There is another more positive reason why I advocate registration - it makes you part of the community. I see lots of postings by Bondsman and RebelHeart for example, I have got to know their style, it makes me feel as if I know these guys to a certain extent. This guy who calls himself Unregistered does nothing for me.

[deusex]

SA,

well said! Thank you!

[SmoothChris]

Having thought about his for a while, I'm very much in favour of registration as a means of creating a community of members - and that does seem to be happening. I see no problem with allowing guests to read all the posts, or with allowing them to post comments, but would like to see some incentive for them to join. Perhaps restrict photo posting to members, or perhaps even go so far as to make the user galleries a 'members only' area? The important thing would be to give guests enough access to convince them that this is a nice, friendly place to be.

[UnderWear Freek]

You could make registering opitional.

[deusex]

This is an old thread. Registration is mandatory for posting. It's been that way for over a year, and as you can see, it hasn't hindered the site at all. When registration wasn't mandatory, the site was ripe with flamers, homophobes, underage people and spammers. That's all disappeared.

We're not going back.

Like Sweaty Aussie said so perfectly - I trust the users of this site, and the users have to trust me. I run an honest site and board. I don't use any information, share it or sell it. If I did, you'd hear about it.

I'm happy with the decision, I love USG, and I love the community it has attacted.

[BONNIE2006]

i was comming to this site for months before i registered and i registered becouse i didnt feel under any presure to do so.i could have a good brouse first before making my mind up. i think to many sites try to push you to register to quickly and it puts people off let people register in there own time is what i say (now im registed im addicted carnt leave the site alone) to many nice people and hot pics

[tom]

By all means have the ability to look around, but to post one should be registered, it just shows some commitment to the subject and certainly cuts out all the crap posts.

[BONNIE2006]

this is true it dose show commitment but every site will have crap posts but i agree with smoothcris in saying the full site should only be for members this would encourage people to sign up.i do agree that posting you should register as its nice to know who your talking to rarther than just (unregitered user) maybe limit posting to lke say 2 a day until you sing up what do you8 think about this