Private Forum?

[ArtVandelay]

I was wondering if it was possible to have a private forum that could only be viewed by people who were logged in to the site. I know that anyone can sign up for an account and log in, but that would stop posts from being indexed by search engines. If that were the case then I (and I think a lot of other people) would be more open to posting information about ourselves, like a picture, name, or general location for example.

I think it would also be really cool if there were an invite-only forum where the moderators would invite people they know personally and then those people could sponsor/recommend other people that they know personally. That way it would be limited to people who come to events and have gotten to know other community members. I know that this sounds very exclusive, and it is, but I think that since so much of this is based on trust it would be great to have a place to post that isn't open to anyone on the internet.

I'm not saying that the entire TMF site should be private, just a couple of the message boards. I think the openness of the TMF is great, but it can also be prohibitive. I have learned the hard way to be VERY careful what I post on the internet and where I post it.

Anyway, that's just a thought. I'd be interested to know what you guys think.

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

While I understand what you're saying, I am reasonably confidant that is never going to happen. I get the appeal, but I think it's too far too exclusive. I know you're trying to make it open to as many trustworthy people as possible, but what about the people who know no one? When you joined the forum, were you in a position that you would have been allowed in this "circle of trust"?? When I joined this forum I didn't know a soul here, and if the forum had been run the way you're suggesting, the likelihood that I would have gotten to know the absolutely amazing people I have so far is very very small. It'd be like living in a gated community. The fun factor would plummet.

 

[Ghris]

The "not visible to members who are not logged in" forum is something I'd agree with. Chuck stuff like member pics in there.

The other bit, not so much, for the reasons Skip gave - far too exclusive.

 

[skelyrata]

Well i think thats a good idea, and a suggestion on those ground will be to make a forum or section for "producers only" where producers can hang out and share ideas without revealing their secrets to the general public.

 

[Capnmad]

I get the appeal, but I think it's too far too exclusive. I know you're trying to make it open to as many trustworthy people as possible, but what about the people who know no one? When you joined the forum, were you in a position that you would have been allowed in this "circle of trust"?? When I joined this forum I didn't know a soul here, and if the forum had been run the way you're suggesting, the likelihood that I would have gotten to know the absolutely amazing people I have so far is very very small. It'd be like living in a gated community. The fun factor would plummet.

I agree with everything I quoted Skippy on above.

 

[..Glamorous..]

While I understand what you're saying, I am reasonably confidant that is never going to happen. I get the appeal, but I think it's too far too exclusive. I know you're trying to make it open to as many trustworthy people as possible, but what about the people who know no one? When you joined the forum, were you in a position that you would have been allowed in this "circle of trust"?? When I joined this forum I didn't know a soul here, and if the forum had been run the way you're suggesting, the likelihood that I would have gotten to know the absolutely amazing people I have so far is very very small. It'd be like living in a gated community. The fun factor would plummet.

I agree. Then people would begin whining about being excluded and find some way to kill it for all the people that were included. But then again, that really is excluding people.

 

[chicago]

I think having a private forum that can only be viewed by members is a good idea. I mean, since we're the most popular adult site on the internet or something like that, it's just a matter of time before we're all troll fodder on Encyclopedia Dramatica. I don't like the idea of an invite only forum, though.

 

[ArtVandelay]

While I understand what you're saying, I am reasonably confidant that is never going to happen. I get the appeal, but I think it's too far too exclusive. I know you're trying to make it open to as many trustworthy people as possible, but what about the people who know no one? When you joined the forum, were you in a position that you would have been allowed in this "circle of trust"?? When I joined this forum I didn't know a soul here, and if the forum had been run the way you're suggesting, the likelihood that I would have gotten to know the absolutely amazing people I have so far is very very small. It'd be like living in a gated community. The fun factor would plummet.

I understand and agree with this, to be honest I've only met a few people on here so far and would probably not even be included in this myself yet. I wasn't talking about the entire TMF though, just one message board. Everything else would still be open as it is now so new members could still post on all of the current boards and find out about gatherings and things like that. The idea was just for there to be one place for the people who know and feel comfortable with each other and not have to worry who else might be reading.

Anyway, I was just thinking out loud. I would really like to have a board that's only accessible by people who are logged in though.

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

Yeah I totally agree with the idea of having to be logged in to see the forum. But certain things are already only available to those who are logged in. Obviously people who aren't logged in can't post, but they also can't view attachments. You can also make your profile, visitor messages and blog only visible to members, contacts or friends. So there is a certain amount of privacy available here.

 

[meangry]

I think having a private forum that can only be viewed by members is a good idea. I mean, since we're the most popular adult site on the internet or something like that, it's just a matter of time before we're all troll fodder on Encyclopedia Dramatica. I don't like the idea of an invite only forum, though.

Do me a favor, alright?

DON'T FUCKING SAY THAT!

Let them go after furries and chris chan. Let them go after the people in the easy to access areas on the internet because god knows btards are only able to milk lulz from topics that were already discovered for them by real trolls.

People here have no idea how hunted they can be, especially with this veneer that they are safe to post their name, place of residence, pictures, and phone numbers.

 

[Musicroxmysox]

Gotta agree with Skippy that yes some things are already private but if things were to private then I think many people would not feel open into participating.

I understand worrying about who could come across you on this site, but if there is that much concern then there are measures that can be taken to keep oneself private. Alternate screen names, no pictures, etc...

 

[rhiannon]

I think that if you want to stay private, you can pretty much do that! There is no need to post a picture of yourself or a phone number or where you live! People who want to do it do it, and people who don't aren't treated any different.

Usually when you get in closer contact with someone on here you exchange pictures and info in private anyways.

 

[jamie jugs]

I like the idea of having to log in to access the forum...we're all used to logging in each day (or just staying logged in if you're at home).

Having said that, the "invite only" forum idea seems as though it could make what is already at times a quasi-cliquey forum environment seem even more so.

Lastly, where the "producers only" forum is concerned, if it leads to more exciting tickle vid's (due to the creative inspiration within its hallowed private threads), then i'm all for it...cause heck, i'm just a sucker for a good tickle video.

My thoughts...but heck, i'm just a newbie anyway. jugs

 

[His Divine Shadow]

I think having a private forum that can only be viewed by members is a good idea. I mean, since we're the most popular adult site on the internet or something like that, it's just a matter of time before we're all troll fodder on Encyclopedia Dramatica. I don't like the idea of an invite only forum, though.

Just to note, this happened to the TickleTheater with SomethingAwful some time back. We got a front-page troll article and everything. 😀

 

[loveofmystery]

As a relative newbie to actually being a member of the forums, I'm not really for this. It took me YEARS to get up the courage to actually log in and post, and to realize that I wouldn't be laughed at for sharing what feels like pretty personal information sometimes.

I guess I'm still a little shy about everything, and I always wondered what my friends and family would think if they knew...if they'd laugh, or think it was silly, or whatever. I think if it would have been a private forum, I would've felt pressured to log on when I wasn't ready to, and I might have just left.

As for a producer forum, well, that's fine with me because I'm not a producer. But, for me, lurking let me get comfortable with this part of myself before sharing it with the innumerable people that constitute The Internet. I wouldn't want to take that away from anyone else.