Managing A Community : private forum

[ThorstenA]

I suggest to make the forum Managing A Community (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=142) only readable to licence holders. I am far more willing to discuss community matters if I know: what is said in the forum, stays in the forum :D

[Razasharp]

I would agree - don't see why it should or needs to be seen by non license holders.

I also think non-license holders only need posting rights in pre-sales (but I've said that a million times already).

[ThorstenA]

I would agree - don't see why it should or needs to be seen by non license holders.

I also think non-license holders only need posting rights in pre-sales (but I've said that a million times already).

The forums are first open for members in the unlicensed usergroup to write posts, but then after asking a question they get this answer:

To get vB support on these forums you first need to be a licensed customer and register for Priority Forum Support. To do this, please go here:

http://members.vbulletin.com/membersupport_priority.php

...and enter your email address in one of the boxes. You'll need to have your customer number and password to access the page.

Once you've done this, please post in the appropriate support forum for your version.
It's easier for the staff to handle this with an automatic solution.

[cheat-master30]

I disagree to be honest. Sure, lock any vBulletin specific questions posted there, but there's a lot of interesting views and opinions that can be given by people who don't own a vBulletin license, but either run a forum using different software or help moderate a forum using such software.

[Razasharp]

I disagree to be honest. Sure, lock any vBulletin specific questions posted there, but there's a lot of interesting views and opinions that can be given by people who don't own a vBulletin license, but either run a forum using different software or help moderate a forum using such software.

No offence to these people - but I don't think I've seen a single useful or interesting post from a non-licensed holder.

Most of the time, they post spam, or try to get support for a pirate version, or they're a user of someone's vb forum trying to ask questions.

How many times have you seen the message Thorsten quoted? How many locked threads are in the chit chat section? It looks bad tbh, and is a pain for regular members going to threads only to see that message.

[ThorstenA]

How many times have you seen the message Thorsten quoted? How many locked threads are in the chit chat section? It looks bad tbh, and is a pain for regular members going to threads only to see that message.
I find this message also not very customer friendly for possible customers. If I go to a car shop, and ask a question I am never told to "first buy this car, then we'll answer your question". It's better to either do not let these customers in areas where only customers are treated, or if they have questions redirect them to the presales forum. But never say: Prove yourself as licensed. "You have questions about this car? First you need to prove me you bought this car here from me!"

[Razasharp]

Lol yeah - totally agree :)

[cheat-master30]

To be fair, most of the useless posts from non licensed users I've seen have NOT been in the Managing a Community forum, but in either Chit Chat or Site Feedback. Heck, I'd say the latter needs more management from spam personally.

[nexialys]

"for licensed members" is not considered to be "private" for me... ok, right now the non-licensed members have no access whatsoever, which is bizarre, but i would simply give reading access, no reply. that gives the flexibility for these visitors to have answers to most of the questions, but also a certain restriction that spam is not really possible.

we did not "gain" access to that forum because we paid a subscription, we "deserve" that access because the company want to hear from the guys who actually use the software... you can not give feedback to vBulletin if you do not use it... the Pre-Sales forum is more into it... ;)

you can apply that logic to any forum where you have products advertised...

[cheat-master30]

That's a good compromise nexialys, make it viewable for guests and unlicensed members, and postable for the licensed users. That way, at least search engines can find any useful advice given and others can find advice that might help for running a community in general.

[Wayne Luke]

That's a good compromise nexialys, make it viewable for guests and unlicensed members, and postable for the licensed users. That way, at least search engines can find any useful advice given and others can find advice that might help for running a community in general.
This is exactly how the "Managing A Community" forum works. Only licensed users can post there. Unlicensed users can post in Pre-sales, Suggestions and Feedback, Chit Chat, Testing, Site Feedback. I think they can also post in Hosting Options, The PHP and HTML forum but haven't double checked.

[MRGTB]

"for licensed members" is not considered to be "private" for me... ok, right now the non-licensed members have no access whatsoever, which is bizarre, but i would simply give reading access, no reply. that gives the flexibility for these visitors to have answers to most of the questions, but also a certain restriction that spam is not really possible.

While you make sense in what your saying, on this site the idea of using a hidden licence feedback forum board was done for a good reason. IB are kind of pushing licenced users to post there rants there about vBulletin, and they don't really want the general public (who may be thinking of buying) vBulletin. Decide not too based on the complaints posted on that forum if they had access to view it.

Hence why it's hidden, and is used as the main forum for vBulletin customers feedback to annoucements

[nexialys]

sure MTGTB, you are right... anyway, having a structure like "one question one thread one answer" would be applyable here, so there is no pointless debates... if you have a questions you start a new thread, and the staff answer it... positive or not, the answer would reflect IB's ideals, so public or not would be no difference.

anyway, the feedback forum is way too sparsed right now, everything is related to spoiling others discussions to the benefit of some off-topic claims... i'll be so happy when IB announce 4.0 beta with the new license structure... rofl

[schwab2clarkson]

Whilst I agree with what's been said, I do have something to say. If it went private and was hidden from everyone else, we would have another board that would be full of animosity instead of helpful and friendly people simply asking a question and getting an answer.

[nexialys]

hum, not here at least... the forum we're talking about is accessed by all the licensed members, which is far from being a little bunch of exclusive members... i suppose we hit 90% of the registered members... :)