[Michael]

How do you usually handle those users who merely register without any intention of giving something back to your community but instead absorb your content and essentially lurk around with giving back ... the worst kind of members really?

What i usually do is to restrict a certain amount of features to someone reaches an appropiate post count this way something is given back the community and the members are getting to read the content and discussions which drove them to the forum in the first place

[+ Ryan]

Forum lurkers aren't bad, neccesarily. Sometimes I lurk around and absorb the content of a site. But yeah, forums restricted for post count are a good idea. Not for all, though, because then the person who starts posting here may stop before reaching that mark. It's a touchy situation. I mean, they aren't hurting the site. Best thing is to just not bother with them. Everyone deserves the same content.

[Michael]

I dont think everyone deserves the same content, if someone is actually being active, participating and giving back then they should be rewarded with additional content which isnt permitted to those who merely register and slump around afterwards.

[+ Ryan]

True.. Well, what do you have in mind?

[Dave]

Eh, I feel that as long as your content was freely gotten/made it should be freely given.

[Michael]

Originally Posted By: Dave Eh, I feel that as long as your content was freely gotten/made it should be freely given.

Then why make users register on your forums then Dave?
We all require something in return, rememeber nothing is never free.

[Edward]

I hide some features/boards which needs a special amount of posts to see/join so they would have to post.

I saw a site which had 10 000s of members. And they deleted 16000 members because they had 0 posts o_0

A lot of members...

[Andy]

Yes i'ved seen forums liek so they stay with like 120 members because the clean up those who dont post.

[SteveS]

So far, I'm lucky. We've got a fair number of lurhers, but not more than 50% of the membership. My only requirement is that people enjoy their visits. Members get access to some areas that Guests don't, but that's about it. I'm not here to tell others what they are allowed to do (outside the usual forum rules, anyway). I just provide a means of communication. Not everybody is comfortable posting, but they enjoy themselves, what's wrong with that? Society is composed mainly of the "Silent Majority" - why would a forum be any different?

[Tycho]

For me, if I make a site that offers some type of services, I would make the members have a certain amount of posts before they can get it, and if it is for a chat board or something I just try to keep them active with contests and stuff.

[Baller]

I do that for my Hot babes special forum so memebrs dont jsut join to enjoy

[ShinLi]

Well my forum is a bit more touchy with inactive members, or people who just sign up, and never come back, or get active. I have a roleplay. If a member doesn't become active, firstly I send a email to him/her, reminding that he/she has signed up on my board. I'm quite strict in accounts, usually after 2/3 weeks a person hasn't become active. Or hasn't come back at all after signing up, the account will be thrashed. Luckely not all the new members are like this, however it is hard to get active and dedicated members. From the ten that will sign up, mostly only 1/2 or in a good week 3 will become active, and start to post, and come online almost everyday.

I find that, sending emails to members with 0 posts does help, it sometimes will help you to get a few members back.

[Michael]

Originally Posted By: ShinLi Well my forum is a bit more touchy with inactive members, or people who just sign up, and never come back, or get active. I have a roleplay. If a member doesn't become active, firstly I send a email to him/her, reminding that he/she has signed up on my board. I'm quite strict in accounts, usually after 2/3 weeks a person hasn't become active. Or hasn't come back at all after signing up, the account will be thrashed. Luckely not all the new members are like this, however it is hard to get active and dedicated members. From the ten that will sign up, mostly only 1/2 or in a good week 3 will become active, and start to post, and come online almost everyday. I find that, sending emails to members with 0 posts does help, it sometimes will help you to get a few members back.

I guess converting forum lurkers and inactive members into fully fledged participants is by far the biggest task we as an Adminstrators face. Although no doubt that with the correct flavor of stlye, content and a good image that it should all come into place.

[Pico]

I remember when I was young, trying to struggle to get my forum better all the time.. The key to success is uniquity and originality.

[//Aneurysm\\]

YOu see I think that if a person doesn't see all of my forum then they get turned off by it. But I do have post restrictions for advertising and the works.