Gidday,
As a newly registered member and one that has been a "lurker" for some 4+ years I don't see what the problem is with people viewing the forum and not being registered. Are "lurkers" causing a problem? I have totally enjoyed the site since I have come to know of it. I only registered because a few buddies are registered otherwise I probably would not have registered and remained a "lurker". Great site. Thanks for all the info.
Result of your suggestions....
I've been registered for a while and don't post too often. I read the forums everyday but I only login when I have something to say or to PM another member.
The value of this site for me is not the fishing locations, it's the general knowledge. I suppose I could have started another thread this past weekend on which braided line to re-spool my reels with but I choose instead to simply search the archieves. You have built a tremendous knowledge base within this site on fishing in general. Is it too much to ask that someone register for the prevledge of accessing it? I suppose not. But I don't think it's going to accomplish anything.
Bottom line is at time point I'm a register lurker. Now if we could get a more vocal group of kayak anglers going here, things would be different.
The value of this site for me is not the fishing locations, it's the general knowledge. I suppose I could have started another thread this past weekend on which braided line to re-spool my reels with but I choose instead to simply search the archieves. You have built a tremendous knowledge base within this site on fishing in general. Is it too much to ask that someone register for the prevledge of accessing it? I suppose not. But I don't think it's going to accomplish anything.
Bottom line is at time point I'm a register lurker. Now if we could get a more vocal group of kayak anglers going here, things would be different.
<DwightSchrute>Question:</DwightSchrute> Would the registered-only forums still be "googleable"?
I voted "no", which some may consider odd given my $0.02 on "Opinion Time". My main point on that thread harped on the idea of being naive about internet communications.
When posting information online - say, on Usenet, in blogs, comment boards, or internet forums such as Fish-Hawk - one is publishing information for public consumption. Why not tailor posts as such? I've been a reader here for some time, and have applied many techniques as a result of researching on FHN (and the web at large). FHN, being a locally run site, helps me to keep an eye on health of our fishery - and has inspired me to shed some of my old set ways and really learn a bit about local techniques. However, I have at times had to wade through tons of personal-type information in the process.
There seems to be a general propensity to assume that lurkers (i.e. "readers") are by definition "bad". I propose that "lurkers" are by definition "unknown" and leave it at that.
Forcing readers to sign up will, to my mind, simply turn away potential contributors. Not to mention it may not look good in the eyes of sponsors.
And the idea (which strayed from the original thrust of this thread) of creating a "bronze participant +" type forum, to me, is the height of hilarity and speaks to a cliquish mentality.
I voted "no", which some may consider odd given my $0.02 on "Opinion Time". My main point on that thread harped on the idea of being naive about internet communications.
When posting information online - say, on Usenet, in blogs, comment boards, or internet forums such as Fish-Hawk - one is publishing information for public consumption. Why not tailor posts as such? I've been a reader here for some time, and have applied many techniques as a result of researching on FHN (and the web at large). FHN, being a locally run site, helps me to keep an eye on health of our fishery - and has inspired me to shed some of my old set ways and really learn a bit about local techniques. However, I have at times had to wade through tons of personal-type information in the process.
There seems to be a general propensity to assume that lurkers (i.e. "readers") are by definition "bad". I propose that "lurkers" are by definition "unknown" and leave it at that.
Forcing readers to sign up will, to my mind, simply turn away potential contributors. Not to mention it may not look good in the eyes of sponsors.
And the idea (which strayed from the original thrust of this thread) of creating a "bronze participant +" type forum, to me, is the height of hilarity and speaks to a cliquish mentality.
I think this site is great the way it is!
There's a lot of good conversation that takes place regarding fishing regulations, conservation, proper handling, etc.. that I probably would have never known, had I not been a member of this site. And, had I not had the chance to "lurk" here, I probably would have never registered.
There's nothing stopping users from registering and never posting. So what would be the benefit of having forms accessible to members only. I think it's important to allow users to view the forums and get a feel for the community before making them register. I think having a members only forum could possibly scare off potential members.
If you're going to make this a members only forum, I suggest having an interview process, where new members have to appear before a board of advisors and plead their case, before they can become a member.
Do you really want to go there???
I think you've got a great thing going on here... and if it's not broke, why fix it?
There's a lot of good conversation that takes place regarding fishing regulations, conservation, proper handling, etc.. that I probably would have never known, had I not been a member of this site. And, had I not had the chance to "lurk" here, I probably would have never registered.
There's nothing stopping users from registering and never posting. So what would be the benefit of having forms accessible to members only. I think it's important to allow users to view the forums and get a feel for the community before making them register. I think having a members only forum could possibly scare off potential members.
If you're going to make this a members only forum, I suggest having an interview process, where new members have to appear before a board of advisors and plead their case, before they can become a member.
Do you really want to go there???
I think you've got a great thing going on here... and if it's not broke, why fix it?
based on steve hamiltions post
You should SEE THE DRAMATIC improvement it has made in the last six months....
New folks are joining ALL THE TIME....and get this, THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING....seriously. its crazy.
>i will vote for that then..
this sounds positive..
df
New folks are joining ALL THE TIME....and get this, THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING....seriously. its crazy.
>i will vote for that then..
this sounds positive..
df
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HitmanHill
- Bronze Participant
- Posts: 369
- Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2005 1:52 pm
- Location: Kanata
scott from the shore man...... you can't be serious? hopefully not! If there is someone that is that intentent on making your life miserable this is the site that would definitely turn his ideas around and that person would realize that we care for all our people and would never except this kind of garbage. Be honest with us and I know there are many caring peo[ple out here that will help you.
This site is an endless source of information for people wanting to get into fishing or looking for advice. We all like to encourage people to try fishing. One member is even offering free tackle to kids. So what if people would rather just "lurk", some people are shy, or do not really know enough to participate. That is what the beauty of this site is. We all get to learn something and become a part of a community.
I think some people worry too much about sharing "their spots". I realize that overfishing can be a problem, but the last time I checked Canada was a free country. So is the internet.
So let's not discourage people. As I type this I look at the top of the page and I read this,"These forums have been created for you to share information, make new friends, and improve your angling abilities. Please respect others and make every participant welcome." So let's make others feel welcome and not worry about who is fishing where.
I think some people worry too much about sharing "their spots". I realize that overfishing can be a problem, but the last time I checked Canada was a free country. So is the internet.
So let's not discourage people. As I type this I look at the top of the page and I read this,"These forums have been created for you to share information, make new friends, and improve your angling abilities. Please respect others and make every participant welcome." So let's make others feel welcome and not worry about who is fishing where.
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Badger Bait
- Participant
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 10:19 pm
- Location: Ottawa
A lot of good points have been made already but I'd like to add this:
The only current benefit to registering is the ability to voice your opinion and take part in conversations or PMs. Anyone can check in without saying a word, whether they are just not able to log on but are registered, or are lurking for quick information, or trying to get a feel for the site, or just plain shy or have nothing to say.
Closing the site to registered users alone will deter a lot of people (lurkers) who would otherwise potentially join. Would you buy a boat without being allowed to know anything about the dealership, the make/model, size, shape? No. And that means losing a lot of new voices and new ideas. And potentially leaving the same pot to boil over and over and over again like cabin fever - being stuck with the same opinionated people in the same ice shack all season!
On the other hand, making the site at least partially hidden to lurkers will provoke 2 responses: 1)curiosity - they will join because they will want to know more; or 2)indifference - they will avoid the site in future because it does not give them the easy "lazy" info they are looking for. This will deter people who are not serious about the site but as it costs nothing to register, the option to "view in silence" is still there for the serious shy/inexperienced folk (like me). It also provides a sense of some security knowing that not every @&@$ poacher is able to jump your favourite lake/spot, and a closer community because you know you are sharing serious ideas/thoughts/tips with serious anglers.
The only current benefit to registering is the ability to voice your opinion and take part in conversations or PMs. Anyone can check in without saying a word, whether they are just not able to log on but are registered, or are lurking for quick information, or trying to get a feel for the site, or just plain shy or have nothing to say.
Closing the site to registered users alone will deter a lot of people (lurkers) who would otherwise potentially join. Would you buy a boat without being allowed to know anything about the dealership, the make/model, size, shape? No. And that means losing a lot of new voices and new ideas. And potentially leaving the same pot to boil over and over and over again like cabin fever - being stuck with the same opinionated people in the same ice shack all season!
On the other hand, making the site at least partially hidden to lurkers will provoke 2 responses: 1)curiosity - they will join because they will want to know more; or 2)indifference - they will avoid the site in future because it does not give them the easy "lazy" info they are looking for. This will deter people who are not serious about the site but as it costs nothing to register, the option to "view in silence" is still there for the serious shy/inexperienced folk (like me). It also provides a sense of some security knowing that not every @&@$ poacher is able to jump your favourite lake/spot, and a closer community because you know you are sharing serious ideas/thoughts/tips with serious anglers.
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Bobber
- Diamond Participant
- Posts: 3182
- Joined: Mon Sep 30, 2002 10:40 am
- Location: Stittsville, Ontario
- Contact:
I want to thank everyone for insights into this topic of conversation. A lot of great points have been made, and while I'd like to respond to all of them, I most likely won't. That that would result is a very long response for sure. I'd like to keep this topic open a while longer since it is still very active, and there are still a lot of oppinions and ideas out there.
Again, your insights and ideas are greatly appreciated.
Again, your insights and ideas are greatly appreciated.
Rob Atkinson
Site Admin (retired)
Site Admin (retired)
Change... blah
I had to vote no on this.
I hate change though.
You know if people want to come and just read then we need to respect their wishes. You would be surprised who is reading this board on some days.
Some people just have nothing to say. Does that make them any different from other anglers? I think not.
Some of us have way too much to say... and I lump myself in to that category on some days. So what?
Freedom and democracy are about having the right to choose. Lets not take that right away from anyone... what's the old saying, "If it anin't broke don't fix it!"
I hate change though.
You know if people want to come and just read then we need to respect their wishes. You would be surprised who is reading this board on some days.
Some people just have nothing to say. Does that make them any different from other anglers? I think not.
Some of us have way too much to say... and I lump myself in to that category on some days. So what?
Freedom and democracy are about having the right to choose. Lets not take that right away from anyone... what's the old saying, "If it anin't broke don't fix it!"
Hi Bobber
It has been said a couple of times in this thread "If it ain't broke don't fix it."
Yes it has been "bent" a few times
There is a great exchange of information happening here - quite a number of new friendships have started here - and just like in real life people sometime express strong opinions 
or mis-interpret or only hear what they what they want to hear. But the common thread that seem to come though is that FishHawk is a great site and it is continuing to grow. In my opinion, FH's continuing success is largely due to the respect the overall majority of members have for each other and their desire for this site to continue to be a place for the friendly exchange of infomation.
If it becomes really necessary to place some extra restrictions on the site, I think something will be lost.
and if you do decide to close this thread the dreaded 12 just might come back to haunt you 
It has been said a couple of times in this thread "If it ain't broke don't fix it."
Yes it has been "bent" a few times
There is a great exchange of information happening here - quite a number of new friendships have started here - and just like in real life people sometime express strong opinions or mis-interpret or only hear what they what they want to hear. But the common thread that seem to come though is that FishHawk is a great site and it is continuing to grow. In my opinion, FH's continuing success is largely due to the respect the overall majority of members have for each other and their desire for this site to continue to be a place for the friendly exchange of infomation.If it becomes really necessary to place some extra restrictions on the site, I think something will be lost.
and if you do decide to close this thread the dreaded 12 just might come back to haunt you