Hidden forums for members when they reach a...

[Pinky]

Okay, I am wondering if anybody hides some forums from their members until they reach a certain post count. What kind of forums do you hide and does this help members post or deter then at all?

 

[PurpleCrow]

I have a private forum for long standing members to discuss matters that they would rather only talk about with members they have known a while. Its worked well, and the fact that some members have access to this forum isnt advertised or made known in any way so there isnt the whole "I'm better than you" issue.

 

[Bossanova]

I've considered it, but I like to be fair. So, no, I don't have a "1,000" post forum.

 

[PurpleCrow]

Just to add - the private forum I have isnt just based on posts, you have to be a member for at least 3 months, be over 18 and be mature.

Members have to PM me for access and its mainly an off topic section, for personal matters.

 

[Lee Lawson]

No, as there can't actually be alot to be discussed if it has already been discussed in other boards, so no plus I don't like the idea and wouldn't reccommend it to any admins not unless they are true idiot's offering the same topics repeatedly.

 

[AnAccount]

I don't have any hidden forums on my board, other than the staff forums. That's about it, really.

 

[ChatBox]

I think it's best to have a hidden forum only once they get vip membership. It's best to have something that others don't for vips.

 

[Pinky]

Interesting and thank you for your replies. Do you think that by having a hidden forum(s) until they reach a certain post count would give them an incentive to post and help support your forum?

 

[fantanoice]

I don't like it when they have 'private chat' forums for a certain amount of posts simply because more discussion can be done somewhere else.

 

[Nebulous]

Ive never had forums that are hidden until a member reaches a certain post count.
Doesn't really seem like something that sparks my interest.

 

[Black Angel]

Okay, I am wondering if anybody hides some forums from their members until they reach a certain post count. What kind of forums do you hide and does this help members post or deter then at all?

I have my sex and relationships area hidden from those who have less than 20 posts. The reason for this is because I have had people either see the area, and assume that it was pornographic, and deny my advert, or a bunch of immature kids spamming the topics with immature replies.

I have a private forum for long standing members to discuss matters that they would rather only talk about with members they have known a while. Its worked well, and the fact that some members have access to this forum isnt advertised or made known in any way so there isnt the whole "I'm better than you" issue.

I have recently opened an 18+ section for this reason, it too isn't advertised and only those whom have been there for a while and have shown their maturity throughout the forum. There is no porn in these section, just more candid discussion.

Just to add - the private forum I have isnt just based on posts, you have to be a member for at least 3 months, be over 18 and be mature.

Members have to PM me for access and its mainly an off topic section, for personal matters.

Same here, only invites are sent out only to those whom have been there for a while. I don't have the members PM me as most of them don't even know about the area.

 

[Impulse]

Besides a hidden staff forum that we use to discuss things regarding the community, I don't and have never had any hidden post requirement forums.

 

[Callum93]

It's not a bad idea, but I don't have one myself... plus say it was a 500 post requirement, someone could post 500 crappy one line posts and access the forum, but someone who had wrote 250 quality, excellent posts wouldn't have access to the forum.

I think it encourages Quantity > Quality, which isn't a good thing unless you want lower post quality on your forum.

 

[PurpleCrow]

It's not a bad idea, but I don't have one myself... plus say it was a 500 post requirement, someone could post 500 crappy one line posts and access the forum, but someone who had wrote 250 quality, excellent posts wouldn't have access to the forum.

I think it encourages Quantity > Quality, which isn't a good thing unless you want lower post quality on your forum.

Thats partially why I put a min registration time on it as well.

Not that I have ever had a problem with crappy one line posts, even when I had a posting competition, my members arent that way inclined :lol:

 

[Watch Me Sink]

Nope. Just have a members only forum. I figure I have joined a few communities to download stuff, then never return, why not let others do the same.

 

[Cloverfield]

Yes, I have an Elite Members section which requires 500 posts to enter. It is not hidden, the section is visable, you just cannot enter. That way, people know about it and will want to post to get into it. I also have an over 18 section which requires a password from me to enter.

 

[Ascent]

Nope, I've never done anything like this before. Although, I do have hidden forums, but only from people who aren't in the membergroup allowed to view it.

 

[Bossanova]

Yes, I have an Elite Members section which requires 500 posts to enter. It is not hidden, the section is visable, you just cannot enter. That way, people know about it and will want to post to get into it.

Won't that also promote spamming?

I also have an over 18 section which requires a password from me to enter.

I wonder whatcha got in there? 😛

 

[Watch Me Sink]

Yes, I have an Elite Members section which requires 500 posts to enter. It is not hidden, the section is visable, you just cannot enter. That way, people know about it and will want to post to get into it. I also have an over 18 section which requires a password from me to enter.

For the Alien Language decoded section, have you ever had t deal with rival forums stealing that information?

 

[Cloverfield]

Yes, I have an Elite Members section which requires 500 posts to enter. It is not hidden, the section is visable, you just cannot enter. That way, people know about it and will want to post to get into it.

Won't that also promote spamming?

I also have an over 18 section which requires a password from me to enter.

I wonder whatcha got in there? 😛

Spammers are warned and banned accordingly.

You wonder huh? Anything and everything.

Yes, I have an Elite Members section which requires 500 posts to enter. It is not hidden, the section is visable, you just cannot enter. That way, people know about it and will want to post to get into it. I also have an over 18 section which requires a password from me to enter.

For the Alien Language decoded section, have you ever had t deal with rival forums stealing that information?

Didn't see this. No, we don't really have any rivals. We are basically the biggest and most popular Futurama forum. I'm not bothered about lesser forums. There's only one forum bigger and they wouldn't steal the information. Infact, I doubt the owners and and admins even go on it anymore.