Members Only Forum

[Trancendental]

Don't know if anyone would agree as there is a wealth of inforation on here for all FIAT owners but with the knowledge that Police and other organisations are intruding on the general discussions forums and causing distress to its nice, contributing, helpful members, it might be an idea to make certain portions or all sections of this website for members only.

This way you could not view a post without being a member, and new users who sign up who do not post within 3 days could have their account expire automatically.

Then we can monitor IP addresses of people who sign up, browse and leave and monitor what sections of the board they are viewing.

I only say this as certain useful members may feel that they do not want to post on the boards anymore and this active monitoring may drive away site traffic.

Just a thought.

 

[Alex]

Dial up? I think I remember that...
You can have a static IP address on dialup, you usually do on broadband

NTL and Telewest don't give static IPs, but their lease time is approx 1month, I think my IP has changed twice in 2 years. DHCP is easier to admin for the ISPs

 

[garethgje]

usually when someone posts something silly they get jumped on by everyone else anyway I don't think there's any need - the only thing I can see any use for would be that you get extra benefits if you donate for example ie. make a section private for a positive reason not a negative one but personally I think the forum should be open to all as it gives folks an idea of what we're about and carries out the original intention of sharing advice

Ditto, especially with regards to sharing advice and remember that making it members only won't stop the police being able to access the site as they can always take a court order out or just join up.
If people wanted they could always have a Fiat Forum club for members offering discounts on car bits and club clothing as well as meetings or track days, but who would want to take the responsibilty of running the club?? and besides which posts in the leisure lounge tend to work OK in organising trips and discounts on bits (also in the other forum areas).

 

[polecat]

If I can add a touch of reality here.

I find it highly unlikely that the police have sufficient resources to actively monitor every car forum on the net on the off-chance that they will catch some loose mouthed idiot. The reported case was probably some narked PC putting in some extra time because he knew they were lying and used the forum. The national police internet section only consists of about a dozen officers.

In general terms don't forget that this is a public forum open to anyone who wishes to look at it. Ben is reluctant to create private areas for a number of reasons even when the arguments for them are well presented and offer potential benefits to members. I don't think that this argument is well presented or even sensible.

Nothing has changed except perhaps the perception that this is a cosy little chat site isolated from the big bad world.

 

[sammiboo]

i am in agreement with dave, however i think maybe the gallery shouldnt be freely accessed by guests

 

[Liam]

Wouldn't a member only section just attract unwmanted members i.e the ones that register to look then never post or come back?

Liam

 

[The Negotiator]

If gallery was members only then it wouldn't be possible for people to just look at pictures when somebody says to their mate "hey look at this"

 

[BatMarea]

I'm a newcomer, having just acquired a Weekend. I'd like to say that the Forum has been incredibly useful, both pre- and post-acquisition, respectively helping me to find the best buy and dealing with some faults and modifications I'd like to make. Thus, I hope it will remain as public as possible for the benefit of all Fiat users. However, I take every opportunity to condemn dangerous drivers on PUBLIC roads. If they want to speed and take other risks, they can go to a race track or rally circuit, or perhaps use a simulator. And Jeremy Clarkson of BBC's 'Top Gear' program, you're a very funny guy - great punny humour, but please stop promoting the idea of speed, as the world desperately needs to reduce deaths/injuries on the roads and economize the world's ever dwindling resources. Can't wait to hear reactions ....