unregistered guests ?

[randy (imported)]

just curious as to why the guest dont have to register before viewing threads ? sometimes when i look whos online the typical numbers are something like 17 members and 180 guests. i clicked to see what all the guest were doing, thinking they were all fantasy people, but most of them were viewing things like the castration primers, diary threads, political discussions, blogs and others new posts..... just wondering? not that im tired of the current members but the more the better right ?

[tugon (imported)]

This a public site as far as being able to read what is posted. You only have to register to respond to a thread or to start your own. I often wonder how many people stumble on to the EA and read some of what we have written and never turn their computer on again.

[kristoff]

This a public site as far as being able to read what is posted. You only have to register to respond to a thread or to start your own. I often wonder how many people stumble on to the EA and read some of what we have written and never turn their computer on again.

Actually, about 70% of the forums are closed to unregistered guests. Can't go there, or post, without registering. Select forums are open territory - such as non-fiction articles, etc. Some information we just don't want to restrict. When we get to more involved postings, we want you signed up first.

[tugon (imported)]

Actually, about 70% of the forums are closed to unregistered guests. Can't go there, or post, without registering. Select forums are open territory - such as non-fiction articles, etc. Some information we just don't want to restrict. When we get to more involved postings, we want you signed up first.

Thanks for the clarification. I was speaking of the site I moderate using V Bulletin and should not have assumed EA works in the same way. It makes sense that not everything is visible to the general public.

[Blaise (imported)]

This a public site as far as being able to read what is posted. You only have to register to respond to a thread or to start your own. I often wonder how many people stumble on to the EA and read some of what we have written and never turn their computer on again.

I think that reading (the Unitarian postal worker) Andrew's post made me realize this is a serious forum and also a fun place. I have problems with loss of libido and low hormone levels and the discussions here help. I had anxiety about penectomy from childhood and that plays into my interest. I stopped trying to hide online about the moment I began posting. I am not running for president and no one hires me anyway! I have not noticed who comes here in a long time, except for the few people I have come to know a bit there. If Freud was right and who knows for sure that he was not on to something, a lot of people will visit here.

[Michael K (imported)]

The internet is rather an open portal. Those of us who have registered on this website demonstrate perhaps a certain openness. I'm not that sure we need to be that concerned about those who wish to remain anonymous, unless we're personally insecure.

That being said, the anonymity of the web is sometimes troubling to me. So. I'm:

Michael Kush

Lutz, Florida

[plix (imported)]

Personally, while I can understand and approve of requiring registration for posting, I hate it when a forum won't let you view threads without registering. Before I reigster at any forum, I want to read some of what the forum has to offer, and learn what the members are like. Generally if a forum will not allow me to view threads without registering, that will be my last visit to said forum.

The current policy here must not have been in place when I was a lurker because I lurked for months reading threads in every forum on this board. But that was three years ago, so things have probably changed since then. And actually, I sometimes visit the site without logging in and am still able to view any thread I like. Maybe I am misunderstanding what is being discussed here? Unless it's an IP based thing? But that still wouldn't explain it since I've been able to view threads from other computers also without logging in.

[kristoff]

Personally, while I can understand and approve of requiring registration for posting, I hate it when a forum won't let you view threads without registering. Before I reigster at any forum, I want to read some of what the forum has to offer, and learn what the members are like. Generally if a forum will not allow me to view threads without registering, that will be my last visit to said forum.

The current policy here must not have been in place when I was a lurker because I lurked for months reading threads in every forum on this board. But that was three years ago, so things have probably changed since then. And actually, I sometimes visit the site without logging in and am still able to view any thread I like. Maybe I am misunderstanding what is being discussed here? Unless it's an IP based thing?

The system does look at IPs. The current policy actually has been in place for about 4-5 years, and has been liberalized quite a bit, most recently this past Spring. bboy originally instituted the requirement; we have adapted it over time. Regardless, until such time as a change of policy is decided upon, that is what I will follow. In the meantime, should one wish to judge his book by its cover, that is his business.