Should The Ledge message board be members only?

[Artemis]

I would vote no, I moderate on another message board and our policy is "We're not here to police the internet or be parents" besides, some people like to lurk before they sign up to the community. I know I lurked here for months before finally deciding "Well, it seems like a really friendly community, I wanna sign up!" getting those awful "You need to be a member to see this page!" messages would really put people off from signing up, in my opinion.

If minors posting details are an issue, then any posts where they post personal information should just be deleted / not allowed. Or something. I'm rambling xD

[LikeAWillow]

Originally Posted by LukeA

I think the teen aspect is only part of a rather compelling argument to make The Ledge accessible to registered members only.

This. x1000.

[TrueFaith77]

I'm surprised non-members aren't registering to vote "No"

[Nathan]

I don't think 'I don't have an opinion' should be an option here. If the goal of this is any kind of meaningful result, then people should make up their minds' or not vote. No fence-riders, in my opinion.

[jaycee]

Originally Posted by Nathan

I don't think 'I don't have an opinion' should be an option here. If the goal of this is any kind of meaningful result, then people should make up their minds' or not vote. No fence-riders, in my opinion.

Personally, I think it's a helpful option - it's most likely that Ledies who have considered the many arguments here, but are still unable to reach a conclusion and don't expect to be able to any time soon, will vote "I don't know". If there's lots of "I don't know"s, it indicates that we have to keep this poll open longer to discuss it further; if there aren't many, and it starts to appear much in favour of "Yes"/"No", then it's means it's about time to settle the matter.

[LukeA]

Originally Posted by jaycee

Personally, I think it's a helpful option - it's most likely that Ledies who have considered the many arguments here, but are still unable to reach a conclusion and don't expect to be able to any time soon, will vote "I don't know". If there's lots of "I don't know"s, it indicates that we have to keep this poll open longer to discuss it further; if there aren't many, and it starts to appear much in favour of "Yes"/"No", then it's means it's about time to settle the matter.

Yes, I agree. Plus, its not like its a binding vote... at least not in the legislative sense (again, not a democracy). Its a registration of opinion pertaining to how the issue stands at the moment- nothing more and nothing less.

The points that arise in the discussion within this thread & the ones made in the other threads will, in and of themselves, drive the issue far more than a simple (yet still interesting) yes/no vote. Just my opinion.

[fringed n fab]

I can see the benefits of keeping the forum either way. But if it's lasted over 10 years as an open board for anyone to browse, why go changing it now? I know I browsed SevenWonders before it became a private board, before joining and had a lot to say (that's all behind me now) but I think a lot of people want to browse maybe before they feel like joining. I also feel with this board in particular being open to anyone, we should always be on our best behavior and careful what we post because you never know who might be watching and reading what is posted about any of the Mac. They themselves could very well visit this board from time to time or anyone in the business that have worked with them. The latter we know is true because they've posted here. So in that sense I think keeping this an open board has encouraged the ones in the music business with FM to join and share with us their personal stories and none of us want to lose that, I'm sure.

[jaycee]

Originally Posted by fringed n fab

I can see the benefits of keeping the forum either way. But if it's lasted over 10 years as an open board for anyone to browse, why go changing it now?

Perhaps because it might be change for the better? It doesn't matter how long something's been around, it can still be wrong.
However...

Originally Posted by fringed n fab

I know I browsed SevenWonders before it became a private board, before joining and had a lot to say (that's all behind me now) but I think a lot of people want to browse maybe before they feel like joining.

This reason has pushed me over the edge into definitive "No" territory.

[holidayroad]

Originally Posted by Nathan

I don't think 'I don't have an opinion' should be an option here. If the goal of this is any kind of meaningful result, then people should make up their minds' or not vote. No fence-riders, in my opinion.

I agree with you, but I figured if I didn't put that option, people would complain.

[T8rBoi]

Originally Posted by holidayroad

To see more about the issues that have led to this question, please read the threads "A Message From Miranda (StreetAngel95)' and 'Safety issues for teen users of The Ledge'

For anyone who doesn't know how this question came up........It started with finding out that StreetAngel95's parents' said she couldn't come here. This then turned into some people being concerned about teen (or anyone's) safety and privacy here at The Ledge.
Then the discussion also led to opinions on whether guests should be here, since they also see everything we post. Some people said in the other thread that they were for a private board, others said they were against. I figured this vote would be the best way to know how everyone feels.

A teenager goes against their parents, gets caught and punished - so let's change the world.

It's a public message board that has private messages. If you don't want a "lurker" reading something you wrote, then don't post it on a public message board. Just common sense.

Why don't the 20 some yes votes all get together and start their own private message board where they can talk about whatever or whoever they want and not have to worry about the lurkers. Then they can post stuff here that doesn't have to be so secretive. Best of both worlds right?

How do you attract new members to a message board about a band (that is in it's later years and downswing of popularity) if you make everything private? Is it a case of "we got all the cool people who have all the knowledge about Fleetwood Mac we need, now lets close the doors"? How did that work out for 7 Wonders?

Just my opinions of course.

Originally Posted by LukeA

I think the teen aspect is only part of a rather compelling argument to make The Ledge accessible to registered members only.

??

Where is this rather compelling argument?

Originally Posted by LikeAWillow

This. x1000.

Where is this compelling argument x1000? lol

Seriously though, teenagers are gonna write the book of how The Ledge should be?

[holidayroad]

Originally Posted by T8rBoi

A teenager goes against their parents, gets caught and punished - so let's change the world.

It's a public message board that has private messages. If you don't want a "lurker" reading something you wrote, then don't post it on a public message board. Just common sense.

Why don't the 20 some yes votes all get together and start their own private message board where they can talk about whatever or whoever they want and not have to worry about the lurkers. Then they can post stuff here that doesn't have to be so secretive. Best of both worlds right?

How do you attract new members to a message board about a band (that is in it's later years and downswing of popularity) if you make everything private? Is it a case of "we got all the cool people who have all the knowledge about Fleetwood Mac we need, now lets close the doors"? How did that work out for 7 Wonders?

Just my opinions of course.



??

Where is this rather compelling argument?



Where is this compelling argument x1000? lol

Seriously though, teenagers are gonna write the book of how The Ledge should be?

It really isn't all about what happened with a teen at The Ledge. It is something that brought up further questions/ opinions about safety and privacy. I am not out to completely change things here, nor do I want to start another board. I'm also not saying the board should limit who joins. ANYone can sign up. The point is that they don't.

[Tango]

Originally Posted by holidayroad

It really isn't all about what happened with a teen at The Ledge. It is something that brought up further questions/ opinions about safety and privacy. I am not out to completely change things here, nor do I want to start another board. I'm also not saying the board should limit who joins. ANYone can sign up. The point is that they don't.

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?

[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.

[LukeA]

Originally Posted by Tango

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

I'm very well aware of them, thank you. Its a bit intellectually disingenuous to compare The Ledge to those boards, though, don't you think?

[Tango]

Originally Posted by LukeA

I'm very well aware of them, thank you. Its a bit intellectually disingenuous to compare The Ledge to those boards, though, don't you think?

Nope, not a bit disingenuous.