Guest Posting?

[Chuck]

For the past 2 weeks, Guest have been allowed to make posts without needing to login. Guest have always been allowed to read post in the past but not allowed to interact with members.

I see many advantages to allowing this as well as a few disadvantages. I like the idea of allowing guest to post but would like to limit it to one post per thread.

This poll is open to guest posting and guest voting however it will do no good to vote multiple times as a guest from the same IP Address as I will be sorting Guest Votes to 1 vote per IP Address for the final results. This does not apply to registered members. They are sorted to 1 vote per user name.

Guest are and will be encouraged to register a user name if they want to use other features on the site and if they want to post more than once per thread. This is no different than Yahoo or any other online service.

[kdown]

I think its a good idea

[BADBOY]

Doesn't matter to me!

[BADBOY]

lets keep guest posting for so families can post in places like the obituaries, without having to sign up a membership.

[acoolmom777]

guest posting is ok with me...and whatever you deside Chuck, we (site managers) are behind ya....

[TheMan]

But not when hes eatin beans....

[bubbysgarage]

I have to agree with Acoolmom and TheMan both. TheMan you're too funny. I think its ok and I personally don't have a problem and like Acoolmom stated I'm with you on whatever your decision may be.

[acoolmom777]

But not when hes eatin beans....


:Banane36::Banane36::Banane36:....roflao

[kcredden]

You have my support, as always!

Except for the beans. Your own your own then, m'capitan :)

- Kc

[kdown]

I think the value in letting guests post shows with the recent posts about a couple of obits. Chances are these people would not have registered. Some of their comments were extremely moving

[Flame]

I tend to agree with Kdown. I hadn't seen alot of post from guests, except the Dr. B thread, until the obits recently and feel they just would not have registered for one comment and they may not have been able to express their feelings they way they did. I also agree with the fact they were very moving posts.

[Chuck]

Most of the Obit posts are signed. That is really cool.

[chevy]

I think guest posting is nice because even members can log out of their user names and use it. This way you can post things like on the obituares without giving away your user name. The point of most people's user names is so they can remain private to the public. Besides, Chuck monitors all posts by members and guests.

[Abraham]

Guest posting is fine with me. I enjoy reading the posts.

[TheMan]

The only thing that concerns me, and it has nothing to do with guest postings...They've been great so far.., is that every time i log on I see at least a 3 to 1 ratio of logged in guest over logged in members....

[Chuck]

The only thing that concerns me, and it has nothing to do with guest postings...They've been great so far.., is that every time i log on I see at least a 3 to 1 ratio of logged in guest over logged in members....

Actually the ratio of guest to members is 1.5 to 1. The other 1.5 to 1 is Yahoo Slurping Spiders. I need some eRaid or iPesticide (For Mac) the kill them. lol

[TheMan]

Ah that explains alot.... NOT~ ;)

[Chuck]

I figured I was killing myself explaining. LOL

[TheMan]

Like momma always said:

Argue correctly and your can never be wrong...:)

[Bengals_Mama]

I think it's basically laziness... for me anyway..lol I usually look over the latest threads, then decide if I wanna log in & comment or not. I like knowing who has posted what though, it gives people a way to fellowship. Even if we don't always agree, at least we know everyone's perspective. We are able to communicate without fighting too much, because for the most part everyone respects each other.

[Antonio'sgirl]

The only draw back I see with not allowing guest posting, is monitoring. Most blog sites require registration because, if there is a complaint about a posting, i.e., improper language or content, then the site can ban the person. I assume, Chuck, you have some way of monitoring the guests for that purpose? If so, who cares whether someone registers or not. It is nice to talk to people when you know who they are, but the point of the site is to discuss opinions, and some people feel more comfortable doing that anonymously.

[Chuck]

Glad you brought that up.

There are many fallacies to registration, Internet Tracking and Even email addresses as being positive identification for banning purposes.

The only information you need banning a posters is the IP Address and the information is generally only good for 5 days. This is due to DHCP IP addresses changing.

A user name is only good till the person creates a new user name.

Email addresses are a dime a dozen and free just about anywhere. They require little personal info and are not dependable for banning.

Realistically it is best to;

1. Make features available on the site that encourage people to register and become a part of the site.

2. Have as many moderators as you can get to watch, edit and sometime delete posts.

3. Use of temporary bans and an infraction system. These allow for a cool down period but initially can created an even more heated situation. They do work.

We have only had a handful of posts in 5 years that have needed to be addressed. Many where handled in PM some have been handled at other levels. It makes no difference if a person is a guest or a registered member the degree of difficulty is the same for infractions.

The advantage to registration over guest posting is that a person would say something as a guest that they would not normally say if they where a registered member. As a guest it makes a moderators job easier, he or she can just delete the post.

Advantages here of posting as a registered member is that you gain community respect. If you post as a guest many people will read your post but not put much, if any validity or value in what you say.

The BBS is unique in that is caters to a regional area. There is only a set number of people that would have any active interest in the site. Most people are keep themselves in check from fear that someone will figure out who they are.

I know this is a much more a detailed response and that your post was in support of what I am trying to do. I just saw an opportunity to list some mis beliefs about Internet tracking on a non FBI scale.

Thanks for your response to the thread. Because you are a regestered member and you post regularly I have come to respect & value your opinion and I thank you for it.

[Solauwren]

what is the difference of whether a guest posts on a thread or no? some ppl act like this bbs is theirs. a stuck up, snobby, i know i am better because i am a member of the this site and you are not. i dont live in maysville anymore, but it is my home. i was born and raised there and yet i see no problem with a guest posting a thread. would i be any different because i no longer live there? i think not. but then again i could care less what a guest does or doesnt do on here, UNLESS it is not offensive to ANYONE. once that happens then they need to be banned from here. that is my opinion.

[TheMan]

I think you under estimate our members....

[Antonio'sgirl]

I agree with Chuck. Most people who post here are people who have an interest in Maysville personally, either because they grew up here, or have some connection, like myself, having worked in this area on and off for the last 10 years. Although I don't live here, I have represented people in this area as an attorney for the last 10 years and that makes me feel like I have a connection. I believe I do. I am careful about what I post and make sure that nothing I say will give away who I am except to a specific number of people. But if I didn't care about taking that precaution, I would want to be a guest so I could post opinions and not know. In fact, if we were able to monitor guests as Chuck says, then I may even post occasionally as a guest, especially on topics where maybe, due to the political situation, I would prefer to be anonymous. I have friends on both sides of the political fence here, as I am sure many of you do. The main purpose of the Internet, and blogging, as I see it, is the encouragement of freedom of expression. That is what makes our country great. As long as the monitors can make sure that the content is appropriate, not personalized attacks and/or pornographic, then allow that freedom. If, occasionally, the guest has no connection to Maysville, so what? Let them express their opinion. Most of the people on the site will have some connnection, or, as Chuck points out, why would they care about the posts? Have you ever been on Yahoo! Try it sometime. Then you will know what truly unconcerned guests will say. I am very impressed by the content here. I say, allow anyone to post who has anything meaningful to say. It is the American Way. I know my pseudo-political ally Mark (who I don't know except through this web site) will agree. So will a lot of my political opposites. It is the one thing that unites all Americans.