Make Events Section Private To Members Only?

[Jimmy]

Does anyone think I should turn the events section to be visible to registered website members only, or even make it visible but require a password to enter? The reason I ask is because we want to post spreadsheets and google calendars that are editable by everyone, however as it stands, anyone visiting the site would be able to edit them (not the calendar yet, but hopefully Chris changes the read/write access on it).

[mr x]

I that the spreadsheet should be available to only registered members. Definitely don't want random lurkers to be able to frig with the sheet.

[Jimmy]

I that the spreadsheet should be available to only registered members. Definitely don't want random lurkers to be able to frig with the sheet.

That's what my thought was, but the only way I know of doing that would to either required each member to request permission to edit each document, or prevent non-registered forum users from viewing the threads.

[mr x]

Permission request is fine with me, if it's ok at your end.

[ratchet]

In my opinion, the entire section should be members-only.
It's a good way to get people to sign-up for the forum.

[Jimmy]

Ok, as of right now I set the events section to members only to prevent any unwanted editing of the spreadsheet/calendar. I am still open to discussion as to what everyone wants, I just wanted to do something with it until we reached a decision.

[Brewnoser]

All fine and good, but what's the password to be? I can't get into the group buy thing as it is.

One other thing, the member list is currently anonymous. That is all fine and dandy until someone gets on there and starts being a problem. Perhaps we should consider requiring people to match up their handle with their real name somewhere to be able to be on the forum?

Jeff Pinhey (brewnoser)

[mr x]

Access to the group buy forum was limited to known individuals who would be interested in group buys:

http://www.brewnosers.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=50

Matching real names to forum handles doesn't really accomplish much. You can say you are Angelina Jolie for all anybody knows. But there are advantages to being anonymous if one chooses to be. If somebody gets to be a problem, they get removed.

[benwedge]

Since this is on the same topic, I'll revive this dormant topic.

Is there a way to set different member levels, or is it just anyone with an account vs admin? If certain Forums (e.g., events, group buys) were restricted to "manually authenticated members", we wouldn't have to type passwords and worry about others messing with the spreadsheets. Since anyone off the street can create a user account, if an admin bumps you from basic account to authenticated (which you could request via pm, sort of as you do for the group buy) then you get access.

I know for those of us who've been around since this forum's inception, we've basically become accustomed to the current method, but it may make things simpler.

[Jimmy]

The reason it has been setup with a password vs user groups is because mr x has been looking after the administration of the password. If we were to do it via user groups it would require me to manually switch the user to the appropriate group once they have been approved access to that section. I am fine with this, however wouldn't always have the internet access to do that.

I think it's best if mr x keeps administering access to those sections since he has a better idea of who to let in, and who not to.

I am fine with whatever everyone wants. mr x, what's your opinion on this? It would just mean you would have to forward me a copy of the email with the members username.

[benwedge]

What about bumping him to admin/moderator if that would give him the power to do it? I must be useless with passwords, because it's dead simple and I keep having to look it up.

[mr x]

It doesn't make any difference to me, but I never really considered the options. I'm not sure what the upside is to making that change, but I'm certainly open to input.

[Jimmy]

It doesn't make any difference to me, but I never really considered the options. I'm not sure what the upside is to making that change, but I'm certainly open to input.

The only advantage is it would no longer require a password. I don't think that section would show for non-members anymore either though.

[mr x]

I don't think that section would show for non-members anymore either though.

hmmmmmmmm, must think of the ramifications....too many brown ales at the H&T.....

[benwedge]

I don't think that section would show for non-members anymore either though.

hmmmmmmmm, must think of the ramifications....too many brown ales at the H&T.....

I was thinking we'd maintain the public request forum. Same authentication method as now, but no password required.

[Jimmy]

I would also need a list of all usernames that currently have access to that section, something I don't have..lol

[mr x]

Offhand, I don't see too many problems with the current system. Is it a matter of forgetting the password ben?

[KMcK]

I find the current system doesn't work well with Firefox. It seems that Firefox can only remember one password per domain so it was continually confusing the two I need for the site. I gave up for a while and started using Safari, which seemed to handle things better, until I found Lastpass, which (most of the time) handles the two passwords well and makes the site usable with Firefox.

[akr71]

I use Firefox and don't experience any problems.

[mr x]

Same here. I use Firefox, and the system remembers my password. Occasionally, I have to hit the enter key before going into that sub-forum, but that's it...

[Jimmy]

I use Firefox and don't experience any problems.

Same here

[KMcK]

I use Firefox, and the system remembers my password.

passwords

[mr x]

Remembers my passwords too.

[benwedge]

It's a combination of forgetting it, and liking to check it from my iPhone, where typing isn't quite as fast. But I realize it'd probably be a bit of work to transition many of the 80 people currently on the forum to a tiered membership system. So if I'm the only one who dislikes the password system, it may not be worth it.

[Seanstoppable]

Why make the events section private at all? Do we not want to appear active (well, more than just talking), to attract new members into participating?