Jeez just then I had a look at the bottom of the page and saw there were 25 registered users online and 1897 guests. Any ideas how to get these people to register without putting up nags?
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create programs that are crappy and make them want to sign up to complain
Zoop
LOL but then we'd just be a portable version of MSN
EDIT: Or maybe Yahoo
jk
SECOND EDIT: But seriously though anyone got any ideas?
PortableApps.com Advocate
Why should people register to read the postings of others? Especially if they have no comment to make. The forum makes money from it's Google ads whether viewers register or not.
If you are looking for an incentive to make visitors register offer them a free CD of all PortableApps' software if they sign up. That should do the trick.
sergentsiler's idea works also.
Ed
A BIG NO to the CD idea considering the target base, PortableApps.com is working for. CD's are old school. How about a 512MB or a 1GB thumb drive
Now for the initial question asked by the OP, allow (time limit) the non-registered/guest user to travel in the forums for free (without registration) for 15 (or 30 or whatever) minutes after which he has to register. But, until he registers, he shouldn't be allowed to post in the forums.
Hope, you like this idea.
Unregistered users can't post in the forums...
The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705
now - 3,755 guests and 39 registered users
Can anyone think of a way to encourage registration without any of the dreaded compulsory registration tactics?
PortableApps.com Advocate
make them wait 24 hours before making a post
Too many lonely hearts in the real world
Too many bridges you can burn
Too many tables you can't turn
Don't wanna live my life in the real world
What you are requesting in unneeded.
Numbers mean nothing.
There is no value of having/making people register just to read the forum.
Lurkers are welcome
Tim
Things have got to get better, they can't get worse, or can they?
"There is no value of having/making people register just to read the forum."
I 100% agree with you I'm just seeing if anyone has any ideas beyond such an approach to encourage people to register. I mean I was just wondering if anyone had ideas to market the idea of registering. No I mean nothing $ related just fishing for an idea on how to get some of these 1000's of guests to register.
PortableApps.com Advocate
I think that lurkers will turn into registered users as they get more interest in portable applications and the discussions we are having.
If we MAKE them register or ENTICE them to register, we will be getting registered users who have no true passion here and probably wouldn't post or get involved in any meaningful way.
Why bother? Just for the "bragging rights" of having big numbers? Doesn't do anything special for me....
Jim
neutron1132 (at) usa (dot) com
Good words
K
PortableApps.com Advocate
I was a lurker for about a year before I registered. Then I had a question. Someone will, (good or bad), have a question, a problem, maybe a comment. Like me, they WILL register to post that question, problem or comment. I'm not a software dev or software anything. I'm just someone who found this interesting and informative site and wishing to learn, I chose to register so that I could be involved in the posts, hoping to expand my horizon. I say, let'em register on their own, if they wish. Sites that try to entice me to register do not get my attention, I click the exit button and move on.
Thanks! I hadn't thought about that point.
There's many sites that require registration for downloading or reading. My first reaction is always "F... you" and the second is "I can go somewhere else".
And I never go back there.
Jim
neutron1132 (at) usa (dot) com
Thats exatly my view of how things should be. I have learned so much from Forums I never would register - I am/was just glad a registered user had the same question I did.
"What about Love?" - "Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate." - Al Pacino in The Devils Advocate
As an ex lurker.. I think people will register and post when they feel the need.
Also I think you will find that most of the 'Guests' are in fact spiderbots.
...ex lurker, though still a lurker really, I would just say if you keep churning out the great apps you'll keep getting more and more people to register
That's why I registered anyway.
I only log in when I need to post. If I am just reading I do not bother.
Paul