How have you set up the permissions for your guests ?

Are they allowed to view the forum, the calendar, the who is online, the members list and stuf flike that ?

If they can view the forum, do you allow them to view all the forums/categories or are some restrickted to registered members online ?

And do you allow your guests to download attachments and stuff like that ? Or even have them post ? Or can they only browse the forums ?

Please let me know :)

Well, basically guests can only browse the forums, and the calendar, I think. If someone wants to view/download attachments, use search, or browse through the memberlist then he'll have to register And activate his account.
No forums are inaccessible, except the mod forums, so basically everything worth reading is out in the open. Maybe that'll change some day, for some reason. Probably not.

How have you set up the permissions for your guests ?

Are they allowed to view the forum, the calendar, the who is online, the members list and stuf flike that ?

If they can view the forum, do you allow them to view all the forums/categories or are some restrickted to registered members online ? I allow them to view all forums that registered users can view except for the Creative Arts & Design forum, for which the users can post their works of art (e.g. poetry, story, music, drawing, photography). I allow them to view the calendar and the members list, but not Who's Online.

And do you allow your guests to download attachments and stuff like that ? Or even have them post ? Or can they only browse the forums ? Attachments can be downloaded, and there is one forum that is set up specifically to allow posts by guests, in case of problems registering or logging in. The rest they are only allowed to read in. (except for the Bomb Shelter, but only contributors and above have access to that)

whatever the default settings are I don't really see the use in having it any other way.... unless I build up a game faq/reviews/cheats section

I limit only me sales forum and use and abuse forums.

Also guest cannot see memberlist or use the search.

I let them view the boards, but cant post/reply or such..
I also added a "Banned users" usergroup where I put the banned users in and they cant do shit :P

Lol on one of my boards guests can't even see my board lol, they must register first :p

imo that really sucks...

No that doesn't suck cuz I have a private clan board lol :p (for my cs clan :p)

Ok, thats different :)

[offtopic] Ik 0wn cs ;x

Do you 0wn is cs lol :p Wich clan ;)

It depends on the board. If I have a really popular one then I usually lock it off to the public as I find that even more people sign up that way. If its not so busy then I usually just leave it open.

I am kind of scared to lock for guests, they might think 'damnit' and just leave. I think the majority has no patience while surfing. Results and results is all that matters.

Another interesting discussion.

I am in two minds. On the one hand you want to give your guests a good taste of your forum, so to make everyone register just to have a look isn't on (in my book).

But I also think that if people can read everything without having to register then you are giving away your sites capital too cheaply. So I grant public access to some forums, but then reserve the rest just for members. ;)

Guests can browse. Some forums are members only (download forums) to save bandwidth. Guests cannot post or create new threads. Membership is free, if you want to post, click Register!!! ;)

Guests can read and post on the public forums. There is one forum which is only visible to registered members and only registered members can post there. Registration is really only in place so people can store their personal preferences and keep track of their own posts, have signatures, post attachments, etc. For guest posting I have a system of Tripcodes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripcodes) which enables people to verify guest users' identity by means of a simple public hash generated by a password (the tripcode). If someone wishes to impersonate you and gets your tripcode wrong, the displayed hash will be different, and people will know it's not you.

On my site, guests are able to view the forums and posts, but they can't view members' profiles and the members list.

On my site, guests can view forums and threads, but they cannot post. I do have a guests forum, for guests to post in, but they never post. They also can't download attachment. They are allowed to view the calendar, members list, profiles, etc.

..For guest posting I have a system of Tripcodes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripcodes) which enables people to verify guest users' identity...Wow, you have some very interesting coding ideas. :) (we need more smilies, I can't fully express my mood with these ;))

I allow guests to post in our technical response area so they can ask questions about registration etc, but aside from that don't.

Do any of you feel that by having "almost" totally posting and viewing privileges that your membership count is affected? i.e. if you don't allow guest to view everything they will leave, or if you do they will not value membership and not join?

I let my guests see everything (except moderator area's) but I don't let them post or submit scores etc.

When they want to do that, they have to register.

Plus at the top of everypage, it tells them that they can download and post if the register. This mght encourage them to join!

Mark

Wow, you have some very interesting coding ideas. :) (we need more smilies, I can't fully express my mood with these ;))

I allow guests to post in our technical response area so they can ask questions about registration etc, but aside from that don't.

Do any of you feel that by having "almost" totally posting and viewing privileges that your membership count is affected? i.e. if you don't allow guest to view everything they will leave, or if you do they will not value membership and not join?
Personally I think not requiring registration is more professional, I believe Shii has a long rant as to why member-based communities are bad.
http://wakaba.c3.cx/shii/shiichan
Ah, there it is, found the link. I don't really agree with all of his points, and there are things to be argued about '2ch-type' boards, so I combine the best of both by making registration optional. That, and vBulletin just rocks in comparison with bare discussion boards like shiichan and kareha.

Yes, but one could argue that a community is a collection of individuals. By registering you have a set name which is the first step in establishing your individuality.