Opening the forum to the public

[ideasguy]

As announced in this topic:
http://www.flowergenie.co.uk/ideas/forum/index.php/topic,1033.0.html
we have opened a section of the forum as "Open to the Public".

This has been in effect since 10th April 09
I would now like to ask if there are any objections to opening the entire forum to the public.

Visitors from the general public will be able to read all messages in all topics, but not reply.
This is how most forums on the internet are operated.

The exclusive membership will continue. Visitors will be able to register immediately, but the registration will have to be approved by a forum administrator before they can post messages.

Please reply, or send me an email if you have objections or concerns.
This will not go ahead unless agreed by all active members.

The forum is very active at present folk. Please look in regularly.

[roiphil]

I have no problems with making all the forum viewable to guests

[Palustris]

'Sokay by me!

[peter1925]

As announced in this topic:
http://www.flowergenie.co.uk/ideas/forum/index.php/topic,1033.0.html
we have opened a section of the forum as "Open to the Public".

This has been in effect since 10th April 09
I would now like to ask if there are any objections to opening the entire forum to the public.

Visitors from the general public will be able to read all messages in all topics, but not reply.
This is how most forums on the internet are operated.

The exclusive membership will continue. Visitors will be able to register immediately, but the registration will have to be approved by a forum administrator before they can post messages.

Please reply, or send me an email if you have objections or concerns.
This will not go ahead unless agreed by all active members.

The forum is very active at present folk. Please look in regularly.

No objections by me.

[ideasguy]

Thanks Phil, Peter and Eric. Looks good so far! Ive had a couple of thumbs up emails as well.
Message to all
Please make sure you have checked the option to hide your email in your forum profile. 
Dont want to have members subjected to spam.

[Eric Hardy]

Me too 

Eric H

[ideasguy]

Thanks Eric. No objections so far.

[NightHawk]

George already knows our views from previous discussions we had 'behind-the-scenes' a while ago, but just for the record we have no objections.

Laurie.

[ideasguy]

Thanks Laurie.

[Lyn and Malcolm]

Sorry for the late reply

I have no objections either.

Malcolm

[ideasguy]

Thanks Malcolm.
I'll delay any action for a week or so to give all members a chance to respond.

[bossgard]

I will vote for the Forum to be open to the public.

However, for them to be able to post to the Forum, I would like to have them be using IdeasGenie software.

Afterall, that is the glue that sticks us all together.

- Toby

[Eric Hardy]

for them to be able to post to the Forum, I would like to have them be using IdeasGenie software.

I think Toby has something there, otherwise it just becomes a general forum.

Eric H

[ideasguy]

Yes, it will be restricted in that way - but to users of any of my software items of course.
I dont have the resources to operate a forum for each product (e.g. Bank Genie) so I have a board for each product and share the common forum database.

The only exception will be invited guests - to impart their expertise.

Hope that is acceptable to ereryone.

[Lyn and Malcolm]

I must admit I did hold back a bit to see what others thought.

I can see Georges point of view, opening the forum up may attract people into purchasing the software.
George puts a heck of a lot of time into his products, but gets little money back for it.

I know that if the forum gets too busy I won't be able to respond to all the postings, as I just won't have enough time, been there done it before.
Of course I will give as much time as I can, to help George and fellow users to forward the software.

Edited after Georges post above
I thought wrongly that anyone would be able to post, should have read your original post properly.

So I see no problem with opening all the forum.

Malcolm

[ideasguy]

It would be nice to see more members joining our enthusiastic core. Its disappointing that so few of our members visit regularly, and post, but again thats to be expected in forums.

As for our regulars - I'm very proud to have such a talented group of people aboard. The forum is now a pleasure to visit, and theres now a buzz about the place, with expertise in disciplines I couldnt have dreamed of. One by one it grew, and our moderators and core members stuck with it to make it that way.

I dont want to jeopardise that, but I'm sure you will agree that more active participants will make it all the more interesting!
I dont forsee it growing to the proportions of being unmanagable.

[roiphil]

Yes, it will be restricted in that way - but to users of any of my software items of course.
I dont have the resources to operate a forum for each product (e.g. Bank Genie) so I have a board for each product and share the common forum database.

The only exception will be invited guests - to impart their expertise.

Hope that is acceptable to ereryone.

fine by me, i did wonder if only people that purchased your software would be allowed posting rights on the forum as it is a forum for the users of ideas genie software (or words to that affect)