Public Viewing

[nickburt]

Just a suggestion.

Perhaps some of the forum should be invisible to non members. From what I can see, pretty much all of it is visible to anyone who takes a look.

This is a double edged sword.
Being able to see the whole thing, gives prospective members visibility of what they can enjoy by joining.
By restricting it, there's a degree of privacy, and, with correct explanations in public areas, a carrot dangled for what is available for prospective members.

Thoughts?

 

[vegasjeepguy]

So the member discussion areas a viewable by non members? I’d always assumed that was limited to the members only. If true, that’s surprising because every other forum I’ve been a part of has limited access to “guests” which increases depending on membership status ( one year, lifetime, etc.).

 

[MA_Trooper]

So the member discussion areas a viewable by non members? I’d always assumed that was limited to the members only. If true, that’s surprising because every other forum I’ve been a part of has limited access to “guests” which increases depending on membership status ( one year, lifetime, etc.).

The member section is viewable by members only. The rest of the forums (besides moderator section) is visible to anyone regardless of member status.

 

[vegasjeepguy]

The member section is viewable by members only. The rest of the forums (besides moderator section) is visible to anyone regardless of member status.

So the original post is incorrect and it’s a non-issue or am I missing something?

 

[nickburt]

The member section is viewable by members only. The rest of the forums (besides moderator section) is visible to anyone regardless of member status.

Yup, I've just tried it again by logging out and the only area I can't see as a guest is:
Overland Bound Members and Overland Bound Benefactors and Supporters areas,
everything else is viewable by non-members.

 

[nickburt]

So the original post is incorrect and it’s a non-issue or am I missing something?

All I was wondering was how much should be viewable by non-members.
Obviously, the members areas as they are shouldn't be viewable, and they aren't, which is fine.
But, there's a lot of the forum that is viewable, should non-members be able to see so much, and gain a lot of benefit for free?

 

[Steve]

should non-members be able to see so much, and gain a lot of benefit for free?

Only badge-holding members have access to the Member forums and adding to the Member Map, Contributors and Benefactors have access to their specific forums. Most other forums are open for anyone to see. There are two groups of non-badge holding members: Registered Users and Visitors.

Registered Users can see and post in all but the above mentioned forums. Visitors can view most of the forums, but there are a few that are not visible. This is to encourage people to join the forum at least as a Registered User and to participate.

Limiting access of the larger part of Overland Bound is not what @Michael had in mind when creating the forum. It is all about freely sharing information.

 

[vegasjeepguy]

Only badge-holding members have access to the Member forums and adding to the Member Map, Contributors and Benefactors have access to their specific forums. Most other forums are open for anyone to see. There are two groups of non-badge holding members: Registered Users and Visitors.

Registered Users can see and post in all but the above mentioned forums. Visitors can view most of the forums, but there are a few that are not visible. This is to encourage people to join the forum at least as a Registered User and to participate.

Limiting access of the larger part of Overland Bound is not what @Michael had in mind when creating the forum. It is all about freely sharing information.

Sounds like just about every forum I frequent.

 

[nickburt]

Only badge-holding members have access to the Member forums and adding to the Member Map, Contributors and Benefactors have access to their specific forums. Most other forums are open for anyone to see. There are two groups of non-badge holding members: Registered Users and Visitors.

Registered Users can see and post in all but the above mentioned forums. Visitors can view most of the forums, but there are a few that are not visible. This is to encourage people to join the forum at least as a Registered User and to participate.

Limiting access of the larger part of Overland Bound is not what @Michael had in mind when creating the forum. It is all about freely sharing information.

No problem, I was just curious. Some forums I've been a part of are quite "closed to members only", others wide open. Those that are more restricted, tend to be the ones that are a paid mambership.

 

[MA_Trooper]

@nickburt That's been my experience as well. The membership is more to support the development of the new app (releasing sometime 2018) and RallyPoint. Michaels vision is that all the forum info (minus that members and benefactors section), videos and website content be open for everyone to aid in spreading knowledge and support to more folks who need it.

 

[Michael]

Only badge-holding members have access to the Member forums and adding to the Member Map, Contributors and Benefactors have access to their specific forums. Most other forums are open for anyone to see. There are two groups of non-badge holding members: Registered Users and Visitors.

Registered Users can see and post in all but the above mentioned forums. Visitors can view most of the forums, but there are a few that are not visible. This is to encourage people to join the forum at least as a Registered User and to participate.

Limiting access of the larger part of Overland Bound is not what @Michael had in mind when creating the forum. It is all about freely sharing information.

Underscoring what @Steve said, free access to information falls under one of our core principles, namely:

No barriers to information

We don’t own information any more than we own the great outdoors. No one has a patent on what it takes to survive. Share information freely and openly; we create a stronger community that way.

HOWEVER - there are specific "gates" that only Members can pass. This is primarily to protect Member information, and to be able to provide overland specific features. If those features are good, people will become members. If not, they won't.

Some of those features:

• Resource Map: Access our interactive Resource Map. Find local get togethers and rides, participate in trail clean ups, research your next outing, and reach out to members near you for information and support.
• Overland Rally Point: Create an event page to easily communicate and coordinate your next trip. Upload maps, detail trail requirements, set vehicle capacity limits and message members in your area to see who wants to join you on the trail. This application plugs into our Resource Map.
• Member Support: Troubleshooting and assistance from the Overland Bound Member support team.
• Member Only Forums
• Member Deals & Gear Discounts: Members only pricing available exclusively when logged into our store.
• Member Event Calendar
• New features & Software Upgrades: We never stop building. Our development team continues to create and publish overland specific functionality to our custom software platform. Members will access all new features and improved functionality as they are launched.

 

[Michael]

@nickburt That's been my experience as well. The membership is more to support the development of the new app (releasing sometime 2018) and RallyPoint. Michaels vision is that all the forum info (minus that members and benefactors section), videos and website content be open for everyone to aid in spreading knowledge and support to more folks who need it.

What he said. We want everyone to have access to the information required to get outdoors.

 

[nickburt]

What he said. We want everyone to have access to the information required to get outdoors.

Absolutely. Was just curious about the different levels of access. Thank you.

 

[Michael]

You bet! Lmk if you have further questions!