Clover's ideas for improving the site. Add your own?

[CL0V3R]

Here are just a few idea I was thinking of and wanted everyone's opinions on.

Because of the lack of users we really need to increase activity so I was thinking of the following.

1)Hiding the gaia section or most sections from users who aren't registered.
Reason: Because right now everyone can just download programs with out registering along with being able to get free accounts. If you don't need to register than why bother? I've seen this implemented on other sites and it seemed trk. This forces users to at least register and try the site.

2)Changing it so you get into UGB by posting. (Probably something like 500 posts)I think UG silver should stay application only though.
Reason: This gives a goal for the users to achieve that doesn't seem as intimidating as applying. It also forces an increase of activity. What people are seeing when they come to our site is a forum with very little posting. If it looks dead people are going to probably going to get the wrong impression. Plus I mean it's not really a prestigious thing because people can just by bronze now. (Unless that's been changed.)


What do you guys think?
Have anything to add?
This is just to brain storm ideas.

[Artificial]

1. We have an auth system so only members can use the programs. Thus it gives people an incentive to register. I want programmers to start using the auth properly - it will raise activity. Let me elaborate on our auth setup a bit.

For each program you generate a unique key. You're able to toggle the auth settings from a control panel on our website that instantly updates (so you can change the parameters of the auth without forcing anyone to re-download the program). You can set a range of different parameters, including:

• Minimum posts - user needs (x) posts to run program.
• Last post - user's last post must be within the last (x) days to run the program.
• Member for (x) days
• Trial - usergroup (x) can only run for (y) times.

So for instance, if we set the last post parameter to 3, it will mean the user has to post once every three days to use the program. If we configure public users to only be able to trial the program 5 times, it will mean that once they've finished the trial, they'll have to post and reach UGB (or whatever) to continue using the bot. If we decide to update the requirements to 10 posts to use that program, it will mean they'll have to log on to the site and start posting.

The whole incentive for this auth setup was to develop a system that allows us to focus on user activity. Now, granted, we haven't even remotely used it to the best of our ability so far. However, these last couple of weeks I, and a couple of the other programmers have been working on a range of programs that should generate a lot of interest in the Gaia community. These programs should receive a decent amount of attention, and we'll be able to tweak the auth configuration in such a way that activity should increase quite a bit.

That's the direction we're taking LG down - a strong emphasis on quality programs and quality content.

2. I'll probably change this back to auto promote users in the near future. Bronze UG was never meant to be that special. Honestly, the only reason I created it was due to the fact that at the time we were hosted on a shared server, and our host kept suspending us for having publicly available 'hacks'.

---------- Post added at 08:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:14 AM ----------

Oh, I should probably add that the programs we have coming out should inject a bit of life in to the LG economy again.

[Kabcha]

Of course by auto promoting to bronze you loose the income generated by paying for bronze.

[Artificial]

Of course by auto promoting to bronze you loose the income generated by paying for bronze.

It's barely anything.

[Souleater]

Of course by auto promoting to bronze you loose the income generated by paying for bronze.

A lot of money comes from member donations.

[C0FFINCASE]

Makes C0ffin's job less fun.

[Louphoria]

You know the guests? Can they view EVERYTHING but the Underground section?

[Smithno13]

Allow google and other spiders to see UGB. Somehow keep them from viewing the dl link so that bots cannot be downloaded by view cache. Free advertising.

---------- Post added at 028 PM ---------- Previous post was at 027 PM ----------

Also, allow users to post topic in the suggestions again. I'm not even sure why we cant.

[Souleater]

Allow google and other spiders to see UGB. Somehow keep them from viewing the dl link so that bots cannot be downloaded by view cache. Free advertising.

---------- Post added at 028 PM ---------- Previous post was at 027 PM ----------

Also, allow users to post topic in the suggestions again. I'm not even sure why we cant.

Because it would be filled with spam.

[Smithno13]

So instead, the staff just wont listen to user suggestions?
Sounds like a recipe for success to me... >.>

[Souleater]

So instead, the staff just wont listen to user suggestions?
Sounds like a recipe for success to me... >.>

Users should be allowed to post topics. I meant for guests to post in threads.

[Smithno13]

I never suggested guests posting in threads.

Smithno13, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:
Your user account may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.

[Souleater]

I never suggested guests posting in threads.

Smithno13, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:
Your user account may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.

I misread. I'll ask Thomas about the user rights though.