Browsing while not logged in Forbidden?

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Browsing the forums without logging in has been restricted, prompting users to sign in to view content. This change was implemented as an experiment to manage bandwidth due to a surge in guest traffic, with the aim of encouraging new member registrations. Initial results showed a significant increase in new sign-ups, suggesting the tactic may be effective. Despite the restriction, guests are still counted on the login screen. The forum administrators are monitoring the situation to assess the impact on membership growth.
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Browsing while not logged in...Forbidden??

Greg,

It seems that one must be logged in just to browse the boards. Starting today, when I go to the main page, instead of seeing the Forums I get a prompt to sign in. Is this deliberate? If so, I think it is going to stop new members from joining, if they can't see what they are going to get.
 
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Originally posted by Tom
Greg,

It seems that one must be logged in just to browse the boards. Starting today, when I go to the main page, instead of seeing the Forums I get a prompt to sign in. Is this deliberate? If so, I think it is going to stop new members from joining, if they can't see what they are going to get.

Testing that theory Tom. It won't be permanent, but I will use it as a tactic. I turned off guest access around 11am and so far we have 23 new members today already, we will definitely break the record of new members in a day if that continues.
 


Originally posted by Greg Bernhardt
I turned off guest access around 11am and so far we have 23 new members today already, we will definitely break the record of new members in a day if that continues.

Well, shut my mouth.

You should probably announce it to the members. Today, Bystander signed up for an account as Sciforums for the sole purpose of sending me PM at that message board to ask me if PF was down LOL.
 


Originally posted by Tom
Well, shut my mouth.

You should probably announce it to the members. Today, Bystander signed up for an account as Sciforums for the sole purpose of sending me PM at that message board to ask me if PF was down LOL.

Then let this be the announcement :smile:

The reason for this sudden experiement is due to the unexpected but pleasant explosion of guests coming to PF. Not that we don't like guests :smile: but, the pure number is clamping down on our bandwidth. So, I thought maybe if we turned off access some would be curious what's behind the closed door and register, thus becoming an attribute to the forums.
 
If that's the case how do we have 86 guests currently logged in?

Did you flip the switch back, or am I missing something?
 
Originally posted by enigma
If that's the case how do we have 86 guests currently logged in?

Did you flip the switch back, or am I missing something?

Yeah I switched back. Also, the forum will still count guests at the login screen.
 
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