non-member questions

[me just saying]

I have been wondering why this forum allows non-members to ask questions when nine times out of ten they are asked to create an account if they want help. or is it for some members to up their post counts

 

[Chuck Finley69]

I have been wondering why this forum allows non-members to ask questions when nine times out of ten they are asked to create an account if they want help. or is it for some members to up their post counts

I do it for the post count since that will impress everyone here in this holiday season.

When people ask their initial question, there’s no way to get clarification without prospective member creating account. I know you know that, but all the forum lurkers may not be aware.

One day, I will achieve your post count, maybe, or not.

 

[Almeuit]

I have been wondering why this forum allows non-members to ask questions when nine times out of ten they are asked to create an account if they want help. or is it for some members to up their post counts

Uh duh .. post counts.

What else?

Gawsh.

 

[B. Diddy]

This forum encourages anyone to ask questions, and the members can try to answer them. Just because someone doesn't come back to the thread for followup doesn't mean the answer didn't help them -- and there's also the added benefit that others who might search for the same question may benefit from the answer as well.

We routinely encourage nonmembers who post as a guest to register if they would like to participate more, since many people aren't aware of how a forum works. The fact that badged members make this routine reply has nothing to do with post counts -- none of us couldn't care less about how many posts we have.

 

[Javier P]

I have been wondering why this forum allows non-members to ask questions when nine times out of ten they are asked to create an account if they want help. or is it for some members to up their post counts

And, unfortunately, nine times out of ten more information and any kind of follow up will be necessary for us to offer a complete answer.

 

[Mike Dee]

I have been wondering why this forum allows non-members to ask questions when nine times out of ten they are asked to create an account if they want help. or is it for some members to up their post counts

Sometimes they can be answered just from the information originally provided so registration is not required.

 

[Almeuit]

The fact that badged members make this routine reply has nothing to do with post counts -- none of us couldn't care less about how many posts we have.

To be honest.. this ^. Post count means nothing. I can make a new account with 4 posts have 400,000 posts -- just something I can edit via the admin panel. So post count is pointless.

We have it so those who don't want to register can ask a question. A good amount of time a question of "How do I do (X)!?" may need more input hence why team members asking them to join/register.

 

[Morty2264]

Plus, when you create an account with AC and post a couple of times, you will be able to post screenshots/photos; which is helpful if a question about software issues is asked.

 

[mustang7757]

I have been wondering why this forum allows non-members to ask questions when nine times out of ten they are asked to create an account if they want help. or is it for some members to up their post counts

You don't win anything with post counts , and all of us here do this for free , don't get paid to help others looking for help. Lot of us work and dedicate our time here to help members and guest.

 

[me just saying]

You don't win anything with post counts , and all of us here do this for free , don't get paid to help others looking for help. Lot of us work and dedicate our time here to help members and guest.

I mentioned post counts as tongue in cheek - that was the purpose of the emoticon. I know about forums, I moderated over the years myself. ran a couple of small ones too. Even had a bbs back in the day. I was just wondering why non-members were allowed to post when they were just going to be told to sign up if they wanted answers.

 

[mustang7757]

I mentioned post counts as tongue in cheek - that was the purpose of the emoticon. I know about forums, I moderated over the years myself. ran a couple of small ones too. Even had a bbs back in the day. I was just wondering why non-members were allowed to post when they were just going to be told to sign up if they wanted answers.

Gotcha, they only told to sign up for better clarity on their issue or need more info .
If someone makes a post "My battery Dead "
Obvious need more info .hope this clarifies it for you .

 

[me just saying]

Gotcha, they only told to sign up for better clarity on their issue or need more info .
If someone makes a post "My battery Dead "
Obvious need more info .hope this clarifies it for you .

and you can ask for more info without having them to sign up. so what is the difference? it is all in the same thread. or are they unable to reply? IMO, if that is the case, having non-members post is a waste of time because more info is almost always needed. would it not be more beneficial to require accounts before asking questions? Might even be able to get more responses since a good portion of non-members return to reply.

anyway that is my thoughts and that is all I am going to say about it. the question has been asked and it was answered,

 

[mustang7757]

and you can ask for more info without having them to sign up. so what is the difference? it is all in the same thread. or are they unable to reply? IMO, if that is the case, having non-members post is a waste of time because more info is almost always needed. would it not be more beneficial to require accounts before asking questions? Might even be able to get more responses since a good portion of non-members return to reply.

anyway that is my thoughts and that is all I am going to say about it. the question has been asked and it was answered,

Guest can only post a question, they don't know they can't reply or add screenshot , so we help them understand that .

 

[Mike Dee]

and you can ask for more info without having them to sign up. so what is the difference? it is all in the same thread. or are they unable to reply? IMO, if that is the case, having non-members post is a waste of time because more info is almost always needed. would it not be more beneficial to require accounts before asking questions? Might even be able to get more responses since a good portion of non-members return to reply.

anyway that is my thoughts and that is all I am going to say about it. the question has been asked and it was answered,

They can't reply to threads as a non member.

 

[Golfdriver97]

They can't reply to threads as a non member.

Or they just fill out another AAQ.

Sometimes the whole thing can be a double edged sword; on one hand, it might seem like there is an ulterior motive, but, on the other hand, this helps serve as a reminder that you can't post in the thread any further until you register.

This was started quite some time ago, as I recall, by me when I was Ambassador Team Lead. The idea was to get people who posted as a guest to join so that they could continue the conversation and contribute to the community.

 

[B. Diddy]

You'd be surprised how many people don't understand how a forum works (or maybe you do know, since you've moderated before). We see unregistered users creating new threads for each reply of a conversation, which is obviously confusing and inefficient, and we also see unregistered users expressing anger and frustration that they can't figure out where the discussion they started went. So I think it's totally fine to exhort the guest to register for an account to participate more fully.

 

[Mike Dee]

Or they just fill out another AAQ.

Sometimes the whole thing can be a double edged sword; on one hand, it might seem like there is an ulterior motive, but, on the other hand, this helps serve as a reminder that you can't post in the thread any further until you register.

This was started quite some time ago, as I recall, by me when I was Ambassador Team Lead. The idea was to get people who posted as a guest to join so that they could continue the conversation and contribute to the community.

Yup....a thread per question

 

[Morty2264]

and you can ask for more info without having them to sign up. so what is the difference? it is all in the same thread. or are they unable to reply? IMO, if that is the case, having non-members post is a waste of time because more info is almost always needed. would it not be more beneficial to require accounts before asking questions? Might even be able to get more responses since a good portion of non-members return to reply.

anyway that is my thoughts and that is all I am going to say about it. the question has been asked and it was answered,

Plus, when you're not a member the threads/posts you've created aren't archived in sections like "Participated Threads;" so it'd be easy for a non-member to lose their thread in the sea of other "Ask A Question" threads. When they become a member, they'll be able to track their posts and go back to them easily.

 

[anon(10645356)]

I don't think the very first response should be to disregard the question and then inform on how to join. No matter if the subsequent post addresses it slightly. I think people will look elsewhere.

Things have changed here in recent years (and Trump is President!)

Also just sayin'.........

 

[Mike Dee]

I don't think the very first response should be to disregard the question and then inform on how to join. No matter if the subsequent post addresses it slightly. I think people will look elsewhere.


Also just sayin'.........

We don't disregard the question. Sometimes its impossible to answer at all without more information so at the point the only thing that can be done is to suggest joining.