[The_Last_Melon]

Just then I was searching for information about some software that I was about to download and the comment that caused me to go through with the actual download was along the lines of:

"Just want to say I found this thread on google and this is EXACTLY what I was looking for..."

If many people reach the forums from a search engine like this then it would probably improve TSR's traffic as well as its reputation and the whole functionality of the internet if there was some system that allowed users to post anonymously without registration.

[Ape Gone Insane]

(Original post by The_Last_Melon)

If many people reach the forums from a search engine like this then it would probably improve TSR's traffic as well as its reputation and the whole functionality of the internet if there was some system that allowed users to post anonymously without registration.

Would be so easy to abuse with no accountability. Forums have moved past the whole 'Guest' posting function that used to exist in a lot of forums. The only thing prominent that comes close is 4chan.

[Illusionary]

(Original post by The_Last_Melon)
Just then I was searching for information about some software that I was about to download and the comment that caused me to go through with the actual download was along the lines of:

"Just want to say I found this thread on google and this is EXACTLY what I was looking for..."

If many people reach the forums from a search engine like this then it would probably improve TSR's traffic as well as its reputation and the whole functionality of the internet if there was some system that allowed users to post anonymously without registration.

An interesting idea, but I think one that would be absolutely plagued with problems and potential for misuse. We already get a lot trouble with troll accounts and misuse of the anonymous function in H&R and removing the need to register would be likely to make this far worse.

[The_Last_Melon]

(Original post by Illusionary)
An interesting idea, but I think one that would be absolutely plagued with problems and potential for misuse. We already get a lot trouble with troll accounts and misuse of the anonymous function in H&R and removing the need to register would be likely to make this far worse.

Personally I think it's a risk worth taking. Unregistered users should at least be allowed to like or dislike posts.

(Original post by Ape Gone Insane)
Would be so easy to abuse with no accountability. Forums have moved past the whole 'Guest' posting function that used to exist in a lot of forums. The only thing prominent that comes close is 4chan.

Captcha seems quite effective though even for a website like 4chan.

I genuinely believe that TSR in the long run has the potential to dominate websites like facebook and twitter if it is willing to take some risks.

[Ape Gone Insane]

(Original post by The_Last_Melon)
Captcha seems quite effective though even for a website like 4chan.

I genuinely believe that TSR in the long run has the potential to dominate websites like facebook and twitter if it is willing to take some risks.

CAPTCHA is protection against bots, which yes would be another problem. I was thinking more about the huge potential for abuse and trolling by users. There is plenty with registered accounts and the Anonymous function currently without adding more to it.

And no, it's not going to dominate Facebook or Twitter. Besides, even if they are similar in certain aspects, they are inherently different websites.

[mr tim]

Plus with this, there is no point in registering. and I don't want to see a lot of guest users. Its free to register on TSR so I can't see the fuss. Plus its easier to control the users this way - we can just ban individual users, rather than ban IP addresses, where it could be a problem, as many people uses TSR at school/college/uni like me.

[Craig_D]

Agree with Illusionary; it would make banning accounts rather pointless. One of the key things preventing trolling is the effort they have to put into making another account. If anonymous people were able to post anything they like (particularly in H&R) without repercussions the forum would quickly be overrun.

[EierVonSatan]

In the early days of TSR (UK learning) guest posting was enabled but eventually abandoned. I can't describe how bad it would be to allow that to happen again - you might as well just get rid of 95% of the mod team as it would become totally pointless to try to enforce many of the rules.

I do like the idea of guests (positively +0) rating posts though, not sure how easy it would be to implement it, however