Hi,

I want to know your opinion if non-registered users should be able to read the forums, or which forums.
In the past the forum wasn't accessable at all if you are not logged in. Maybe it's good if a visitor can look around in the forums a little bit to get an idea of what the page's about.

I just don't know so I ask you .

Cu, Erik

good idea !

Maybe more people will register when you allow this for unregistered people. Personally, I hate it when I come across such a site like this and can't view anything without registration. But that's just me

A little bit offtopic:
Erik, I was wondering why registered users who didn't solve a particular challenge can't view who solved that challenge. Now I get an "You may not see who solved this challenge as you didn't solve it yet." when I want to see who solved a challenge I didn't. Is there a reason for this? Just wondering...

personally i think you could tease people a little by allowing them to see 5 forum pages (for example) and if they aren't registered or logged in to prompt then. i've seen this tactic on various sites, and i think that (since this is a brilliant and beautifully constructed site) that this should give them the inscentive they need to register. just a thought...

as for the inability to see who solved a challenge, i always thought it's to discourage trading, and loved the idea. simple, yet effective...

I totally agree with aceldama. I hope the programming weight is not too much.
I would like to see more people here... and I think the best feature of Bright Shadows is the users. This is one of the most creative community on the challenge scene. It will be very nice to have more people attracted here and I think the forum is one of the best example of cooperative work/thinking.
So... my thumb is up.

Just to ask... some news about the forum search?

My is just a strict opinion:
I think it is better if ppl are allowed to look at the forums totally w/o having to register. That's what i think. Sry.

I also think that people should be able to have a look at the forum without having to register.
There is nothing to hide!

@Dennis30: about the "You may not see who solved this challenge as you didn't solve it yet.".

This was actually added a couple of years ago upon a request from some topusers. Why, you may ask?
Well what happened in the past was that the particular feature was being abused by ppl to get a list of members which they could ask for hints. Or even worse, they could spot low ranked users and tempt them to trade passwords. Nowadays that's just 'a bit' harder to do.
I hope I cleared that up for you.

Greets BaRa

I think that "feature" is redundant because as you said, it is 'a bit' harder to do what you guys fear - not 'a lot' harder.
Furthermore, being able to see which users have completed a certain challenge enables you to identify a larger list of people who might be in a position to help you when you don't want to expose too much information in the forums.

A post in the forums requesting further help because you are close will allow users who are willing to help with / have solved the chall a chance to PM you or post in the forum asking you to PM them.

Also you can go on IRC and request further help.

The feature prevents spamming of users with "please help" and also prevents those that are stuck PMing people who are inactive and being frustrated at a lack of replies.

As it says on the front page "If you need a hint for a challenge ask in the forum first!!! Don't just send pms to other user!!!"

bb