I am using phpBB forum for my gaming related website. I have given limited access permission to guests for all the forums so that guests can post in the forum without registration. Did this to get topics to the forum. I did this as the forum is very new and thought I may make it normal when the site gets good traffic. So is it problematic. I am newbie, would some one suggest me not to do this? Thanks!
i always set the permission for non registered members, some forums i would even set the post permission when they have more than posts before can post new threads.
Hiding forums from guests is not a good tactic to get new members, in fact if anything it has the opposite effect. A lot of users (myself included) like to lurk around a forum for a day or two before making the decision to join. If members can't see the forums they'll be reluctant to join.
it depends i have two forum where restriction has worked wonders... and made them post..when they join when they see other members participating they also participate.. my other forum is not doing good both ways... i got lots of members by restriction in that forum but only few posts.. so here now i am planning to remove restriction and those members who have not participated... and restart this forum with new twist... I mean its subjective... depends on different factors...you need to test what works
I have understood a little mean while. I have put all the restrictions, including the captcha kind of thing, even now I get spam. So yes, it depends.