AT Suggestion: Why don't we privatize the the forums, or at least the Off Topic Forum?

[Ryan]

The Off Topic forum is the most active forum @ AT. Why don't we make it so that you have to be logged in to view it? According the the AT forums main page, there are as many as twice the amount visitors viewing the forums as there are users that are logged one. Would this save AT some bandwidth?

 

[olds]

I imagine we will hear "It ain't going to be happening" but's it's an interesting idea. It would also inflate the number of members signed up.

 

[minendo]

Off Topic should be subscriber only.

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: minendo
Off Topic should be subscriber only.

No, now that's going too far. I think maybe we should privatize all of the forums - now that would DEFINITLY cut back on wasted bandwidth

 

[Azraele]

Originally posted by: minendo
Off Topic should be subscriber only.

Nooooo. At the moment, I can't renew my subscription.

 

[CTho9305]

Cool, then those of us who use AT for computer stuff could have faster forums, or anand could spend less on bandwidth
edit: privatizing ALL forums is a bad idea. Would *you* subscribe/join a forum if you couldn't see what it was about?

 

[Jason Clark]

It may seem like a good idea, but in reality wouldn't be a good way to grow a forum or share ideas, and support the network. Remember these people have to view banners, and alot of them log in while posting, they just don't stay logged in. We're happy to have 1700 guests, as would any site.

 

[Sunner]

I have a good idea, why don't we shut down OT, that would save a crapload of bandwidth?

 

I have a good idea, why don't we shut down OT, that would save a crapload of bandwidth?

OT is here so that all the AOL kiddies and NEFS don't invade the other forums.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Roger

I have a good idea, why don't we shut down OT, that would save a crapload of bandwidth?

OT is here so that all the AOL kiddies and NEFS don't invade the other forums.

Well, most of the time anyway....

 

[Sunner]

Originally posted by: Roger

I have a good idea, why don't we shut down OT, that would save a crapload of bandwidth?

OT is here so that all the AOL kiddies and NEFS don't invade the other forums.

Well back in the good ole days before OT, at least the OT threads in GHW had some quality

 

[bmacd]

Originally posted by: Roger

I have a good idea, why don't we shut down OT, that would save a crapload of bandwidth?

OT is here so that all the AOL kiddies and NEFS don't invade the other forums.

I resent that....

<--not an AOL kiddie
<--not a nef

-=bmacd=-

 

[networkman]

Off Topic should be subscriber only.

Why? Some of us that are subscribers still don't go in there - waste of time and bandwidth.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: networkman
Off Topic should be subscriber only.

Why? Some of us that are subscribers still don't go in there - waste of time and bandwidth.

Many bandwidth wasting members would leave AT. The only reason they are here is for OT, and I would guess that a majority of the subscribers are like you and me in that they use several of the other forums.

Go TA Seti

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: bmacd

Originally posted by: Roger

I have a good idea, why don't we shut down OT, that would save a crapload of bandwidth?

OT is here so that all the AOL kiddies and NEFS don't invade the other forums.

I resent that....

<--not an AOL kiddie
<--not a nef

-=bmacd=-

Nope. Just a narc. Besides, AOL is on a permanent vacation.

 

[Oakenfold]

Maybe only subscribers should be allowed to post?

 

[wfbberzerker]

ive changed my mind.
im all for getting rid of OT now.

if we get rid of OT, all the people who dont give a hoot about computers leave, bandwidth increases, and people talk about computers more.

it'll be like the old days!

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
ive changed my mind. im all for getting rid of OT now. if we get rid of OT, all the people who dont give a hoot about computers leave, bandwidth increases, and people talk about computers more. it'll be like the old days!

How cann you say "Just like the good old days" when you're weren't around to see them?

 

[Sunner]

Originally posted by: rbloedow

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
ive changed my mind. im all for getting rid of OT now. if we get rid of OT, all the people who dont give a hoot about computers leave, bandwidth increases, and people talk about computers more. it'll be like the old days!

How cann you say "Just like the good old days" when you're weren't around to see them?

Well, I'd say he's right anyway, this forum was much more enjoyable back in the days befoer OT existed.
Sure there were quite a few OT threads in GHW, but at least those were also fairly enjoyable most of the time, while the vast majority of the threads in OT these days are nothing but crap.
Of course when OT was first created it was prett nice as well, but it degenerated quickly once the nefs and AoL kiddies started showing up.

I guess it's just a price that has to be paid when a forum grows like AT's has, but it doesn't make it any less unfortunate.

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: rbloedow
The Off Topic forum is the most active forum @ AT. Why don't we make it so that you have to be logged in to view it? According the the AT forums main page, there are as many as twice the amount visitors viewing the forums as there are users that are logged one. Would this save AT some bandwidth?

Each forum's stats are now posted on that forum's page. OT isn't even close to being the most active froum on AT, and the % of logged-in members vs lurkers is actually pretty high.

Hot Deals is where the lurkers are, just as I would have guessed.

 

[teqwiz]

I disagree with getting rid of OT because it is a place to get to know some of the people that you exchange ideas with in the other forums, without walking all over other peoples threads and topics. Neffers or no, anyone posting in OT does not disturb the general flow of the other forums and is somewhat of a failsafe in that fashion. It has it's place here I think, though neffing constantly across random forums and threads should be banned IMHO. Separate login to OT might be an option, But I thought this site was designed to share ideas. Not just the ideas that other people allow us to share.

In conclusion, I would like to say that I enjoy ATOT. All of it, not just the popular or PC part of it.

 

[teqwiz]

P.S. I know I only have 245 posts to date, But this ain't my first day at the races.

 

[erikistired]

how about a daily limit of how many times you can quote someone else's comment (errr i mean post) in OT? would cut down on a whole bunch of the neffing (read, replying to someone's post claiming their thought is your own thought and therefore your post must be legit). if you're gonna shut down OT at least make a gaming forum (away from software) for the ppl that use OT to discuss gaming, particularly console.

oh yeah, i was around for the good old days. and i miss them too (of course most of mine were spent at AGN but hey, they were still good old days).

~erik

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

OS forum REPREZENT

 

[Ryan]

WTH are you guys talking about. Since i have joined the forums, I have failed to notice any change in the quality of OT, etc.