Should everyone viewing C&G register?

[wildcat]

It is my opinion that everyone viewing C&G should be registered, that there should be no "guests." I feel this way because whenever C&G has breaking news or a unique spy photo, the number of guests far outweighs the number of registered members. Perhaps it's no big deal, but I suspect that these guests are people who normally post to other car boards, and they merely view C&G to learn scoops and then share them with their usual audience. I guess I consider other websites as "competitors," and my loyalty is with C&G.

To me, C&G has, arguably, at times, been the leading GM news website, and I hope that others will recognize and respect the site.

What is your opinion?

I think having everyone register would more accurately reflect the size of C&G's viewership, give a better idea of who is looking at C&G threads, allow everyone equal access to C&G topics, and potentially bring in more participants to the Lounge.

Won't higher membership numbers convince GM and its press offices that C&G has a sizeable following, or make it easier to try to land advertising for the site?

Thank you.

[FAPTurbo]

Well, when I first came here, I didn't register. Instead, I just browsed around and realized that the only way to view Lounge topics and stuff like that was to register, so I did, and have stayed here since.

I think there should be a way to keep spy photos and releases out of guests' hands for maybe three days or so, almost like an embargo of sorts.

But disallowing guests to look at all topics is unfair to me, because how will they know what they are getting? They may just say, "Screw it" and sign up with www.thegmsource.com and we can't have that can we?

[Croc]

I voted "YES" but I actually agree with Captainbooyah on this. The "Breaking News" stuff should be made "registered users only" while the general news and discussion should stay public. Maybe have an "breaking news archive" forum created to which the breaking news can be moved within a few days? Not to create more work for people, but that could be a happy compromise.

[DetroitNut90]

I'm with Captainbooyah + Croc. The Lounge should definitely be kept a members-only perk, but forcing people to join to see the car forums might be seen as an unwelcoming gesture to some.

[Drew Dowdell]

I voted "yes" with the same disclaimer as Booyah and Croc and Detroitnut

[ToniCipriani]

Croc's idea is nice. But instead of "breaking news archive", just back to their own forums is fine. We have a lot of forums already.

Edited September 21, 2006 by ToniCipriani

[trinacriabob]

Fine just the way it is.

They can see the car and general auto news/tech forums. Admittance restricted to The Lounge and other areas.

If I didn't get to see what it was all about, I would have never joined.

Now you're stuck with me! LOL.

[Northstar]

Making them join to see exclusive stuff is a good idea, but other than that, I don't think it's necessary.

[Guest YellowJacket894]

Sigh. Looks like I'm going to have to put the quote in manually.

Making them join to see exclusive stuff is a good idea, but other than that, I don't think it's necessary.

[Cadillacfan]

I agree with Croc's idea. Blocking the site to non-users might keep away potential new members because they can't take a look at the type of people post or what kind of topics we discuss. Keeping a limited amount of forums open should be the way to go.

[loki]

i don't like the "have to be a member".... i like sending a few links now and then to family and friends... and still beable to see "everything" normal as a guest so i can browse at school w/o having to log on all the time.

breaking news,could be members only w/ it being moved after a fewdays... kinda like the camaro center was before the actuall announcement

the lounge is a duh... if it has to be modified, do it one step at a time or give advance notice please

long live C&G

[Cory Wolfe]

I agree with Croc, Olds, Northie, etc... Otherwise, the only real advantage to having everyone register would be to up the amount of members, like GMI essentially used to. I think it's fine here as is.

[Camino LS6]

Keep the opinions/ideas coming on this topic.

[I hope GMRULES again]

If everyone had to register that would be a good way to get the membership numbers up. There are only 2500 members, not very many.

[FAPTurbo]

I'm surprised my idea got some agreement... I'm not usually big on ideas...

But I don't believe membership numbers count either. It's the quality of the information provided and discussed that counts.

[bowtie_dude]

I voted "YES" but I actually agree with Captainbooyah on this.  The "Breaking News" stuff should be made "registered users only" while the general news and discussion should stay public.  Maybe have an "breaking news archive" forum created to which the breaking news can be moved within a few days?  Not to create more work for people, but that could be a happy compromise.

196346[/snapback]

Same. Exclusive news should require being registered to view. Everything else should be open, though/