Should The Ledge message board be members only?

[LukeA]

Originally Posted by Tango

Nope, not a bit disingenuous.

Well, it just seems to me that its silly to compare The Penguin/The Ledge (both of which have been around for about 15 years) and its 4000+ registered members to niche sites/forums that either feature far less content, focus solely on one band member/era, cater to non-English speaking fans, etc. They are not fair comparisons/alternatives to The Ledge, nor will they likely ever be.

I'm willing to bet that 4000+ people registered for The Ledge more because of its proximity/connection to the wealth of information found on The Penguin rather than a stray Google search or two. Make the forum topics/thread names visible to all, but require registration to view the threads/participate. Best of both worlds.

[jmn3]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Worst Idea Ever, especially for those whose reasoning is the lets protect the teenagers argument.

Totally agree - it's aggravating to have to do this. I've not bothered with many websites who force this issue. Who cares who lurks? I still don't get that argument, are they bothering anyone? I lurked here for years before registering...and even then, I think I'm on 8+ years since registering, and I still lurk a boatload more than I actively post. I don't think I'm bothering anyone. If you don't want personal info getting out to strangers, then don't post it on the net.

And really, protecting teenagers...come on, it's a Fleetwood Mac message board and that would be the parent's job anyway.

[T8rBoi]

Originally Posted by LukeA

I'm willing to bet that 4000+ people registered for The Ledge more because of its proximity/connection to the wealth of information found on The Penguin rather than a stray Google search or two. Make the forum topics/thread names visible to all, but require registration to view the threads/participate. Best of both worlds.

I'm willing to bet that 4000+ people registered for The Ledge did so because they lurked around for awhile and when they felt comfortable and had something worthwhile to contribute, they knew what they were getting into.

What freaking sense does it make to tease people with topics and thread names and not allow them to see whats going on? Is there anything here that is so private and secretive that the general public can't or shouldn't read?

Again, it's a public message board about Fleetwood Mac, if people choose to overshare in the Chit Chat forum and make themselves less safe or look like idiots, should we really be changing for them? Though I do imagine it's frustrating for some when they can't keep their facebook stories and their Ledge stories straight. (Where is my Beret?)

Do you think 7 Wonders has benefited since they changed? Where would you go if you were a newer fan whose parents just gave you their collection of rare bootlegs of Fleetwood Mac. Hopefully here, cos you had a chance to check it out and can see there are people who care (and share) about the band and would love to hear those and be glad to help someone find more to listen to.

[holidayroad]

Originally Posted by Tango

Why do you care who signs up and joins? You see strangers on the street-- do you need to "know" everyone? You won't really know who these people are even if they DO join, will you? "Pssssst, watch these folks. They are former LURKERS! Shhhhh!" Safety and privacy? YOU control your own safety and privacy here and anywhere else you visit. "And it all comes down to you--well, you know that it does." If you can't control what you post (or know of someone else that can't), maybe a closed board is something you (he or she) want to go to and consider. Seven Wonders is a possibility. I think the Leg Board is still a closed site--not sure (anyone know?), as I quit going there once they "closed" it. Almost forgot--there's MICK's board, too! LOL! But they are Fleetwood Mac/fan run boards with very enthusiastic members--some of them post here and there and you'll have your privacy.

Can someone post links to these sites for holiday road and others so they can check them out?

I know that I am in charge of my own privacy and safety here. I have posted very little personal information here. Please remember a lot of this conversation about a members-only board started on a thread concerning the safety of minors posting here.

[tilthefirefades]

This is actually the only forum besides PFWW where you don't have to sign up to see posts And I joined those forums so that I could read what was going on. People will register so that they can read, and then never post. Seems like a "damned if I do, damned if I don't" kind of thing.

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Nothing pisses me off more then wanting to get info on some other band or artist (or for that matter anything not even music related) and not being able to view message board unless I register. I don't want to ****ing go through an annoying registrarion process to view intresting and inormative info. I only want to register if i actually feel like engaging in the disscussions like here. And I have no idea what password is. It auto signs me on with my main computer, if I'm somehwere else I have to view as a guest.

Worst Idea Ever, especially for those whose reasoning is the lets protect the teenagers argument.

Yes - I registered here to view the pictures, get the downloads and participate in the discussions. And I lurked for a long time before that. I'm one of the top posters on Seven Wonders, but I've really all but stopped going there. The Ledge is the authority on Fleetwood Mac.

Point being - there will no traffic here if people have to register to view.

But my god -- think of the children...

[RickRobert]

Originally Posted by Nathan

Yes - I registered here to view the pictures, get the downloads and participate in the discussions. And I lurked for a long time before that. I'm one of the top posters on Seven Wonders, but I've really all but stopped going there. The Ledge is the authority on Fleetwood Mac.

Point being - there will no traffic here if people have to register to view.

But my god -- think of the children...

Yeah man I want to be able to post my personal info without lurkers seeing it grrr

[iamnotafraid]

Just say no.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by Musicman408

Though I wouldn't necessarily be against an age limit of 16.

I'll take it a step further and say 22.