Sexy* fun poll time!

One thing that really gripes me about some forums is the way that you can't read any threads without registering an account. It's exactly the same on this forum, and if I wasn't already registered, this would cause me to froth at the mouth** and go on a furious rampage. Nobody wants that.

So, in this thread, I pretend to care about your opinions, and you pretend to support mine by voting yes in the poll. I return the favour by pretending to thank you. As a bonus, Paul has said he won't talk about trains or cricket for a whole day*** if the majority vote yes.

Together we can make a difference. Well, I might be to. You can't. You're rubbish.

* Voted #1 sexiest poll in 'Poll Fetish Monthly'
** Props kindly donated by E-Z Squirt Spray Cream.
*** Only joking. This is impossible.




On a boring and more serious note, why is this the way it is? I think removing this limitation can only be a good thing. Discuss.

voted yes. closed forums bug the crap out of me. I never sign up for any of them because they're stupid. we need more people around here.

Seriously, that infraction needs to go away.

On a boring and more serious note, why is this the way it is? I think removing this limitation can only be a good thing. Discuss.
something along the lines of t17 wanting to know the size of the community, so they require everyone to register to account for lurkers. i think it was in the announcements section back when they implemented this.

Oh good, announcing it beforehand gives adequate reason and totally makes it a good idea. I'll bear that in mind the next time I plan to commit a Hideous Crime.

I think i got ThomasAP to change the W:A forum to readible by unregistered users before... did it get changed back to unreadable?

Oh good, announcing it beforehand gives adequate reason and totally makes it a good idea. I'll bear that in mind the next time I plan to commit a Hideous Crime.
and i said it was a good idea where exactly?

Yes, definitely yes. I can see no useful purpose for it.

Makes sense to me.

I'm voting yes, mainly because its not fair on people who want help on any Worms games, because if they can view the forum, they can get help, by searching for a thread that relates to the help they need.

I, have been on this forum for years, as a guest. First trip here back wayy in 2003. Yep, 2003. I used to view this forum 3 times a month back then, looking at suggestions threads, art threads, and any other threads that made me curious.

I came back on about the beginning of 2006, February, i think. And couldn't view any threads as a guest. And seen as i couldn't join until i was older, i had to leave it.

Also, why not get a good look at the place before you join? if they are allowed to view the forum, it may boost the ammount of members here too.

So, its yes for me.

YES and NO.

yes because, visitors can just view the threads without registrating, thus less lurkers and spammers (since they registered, they'll spam for the heck of it), and smaller member database.

no because e.g. i posted my art in FanArt. some random non-registered visitor comes and steals the artwork. i cry.

I think thomasp should remove Melon's infraction. Also, Melon is incredibly sexy.

Mods can't remove infractions :p Not so sure about the second bit though :p

I think i got ThomasAP to change the W:A forum to readible by unregistered users before... did it get changed back to unreadable?

I would have never done that. Most likely because I don't have access to the adminCP.

no because e.g. i posted my art in FanArt. some random non-registered visitor comes and steals the artwork. i cry.

One possibility is that certain forums, like FanArt remain unviewable by unregistered guests. I believe that's possible.

As a bonus, Paul has said he won't talk about trains or cricket for a whole day*** if the majority vote yes.
*** Only joking. This is impossible.




Disscuss.
Funny. :)
voted yes. closed forums bug the crap out of me. I never sign up for any of them because they're stupid. we need more people around here. I completly agree.

yes because, visitors can just view the threads without registrating, thus less lurkers and spammers (since they registered, they'll spam for the heck of it), and smaller member database.
How would that work? Explain.

no because e.g. i posted my art in FanArt. some random non-registered visitor comes and steals the artwork. i cry.
I never thought this day would come, but I actually feel SORRY for you! :p

Also, Melon is very sexy.Mods can't remove infractions. Not so sure about the second bit though :p

Even funnier. :cool:
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I don't really care, so I chose the fake one, I pretended it was a "I Don't Care" option. ;)

Mods can't remove infractions :p Not so sure about the second bit though :pMelon is very sexy. Just check out those curves!

I picked all four because IM REALLY FUNNY.

I picked all four because IM REALLY FUNNY.
Anyone picking all four will be deemed an idiot and infracted accordingly :p

And, since this is a public poll, their votes will not be counted in the final tally.

It's going to be hard to get me to shut up about cricket now that the county season's started.

(The IPL is all very well, but it isn't going to prepare us for the Tests now, is it?)

I may have PM'd Volcadmin then.

I get annoyed by closed forums, too. I almost never bother to sign up, given the number of try-before-you-buy forums out there. I worry that this might limit sign-ups to angry people who've bought Space Oddity thinking it was W:A and people too stupid to correctly configure their routers. That can't be good for the community.

I'd say make all forums readable again for non-registered users, except for the Community sub-forums (GD, FA, OO and Int).

I'd say make all forums readable again for non-registered users, except for the Community sub-forums (GD, FA, OO and Int).
That's a good idea - that way there's still an "incentive" to register.

Melon is very sexy. Just check out those curves!

:rolleyes: Totally agreed!

That's a good idea - that way there's still an "incentive" to register.
Yep, that was my thought too.
And since people playing Worms games have a tendency to create their own (crappy) fan art, there's a good chance that many will register because they think "finally a place where I can post my awesum arts".

More Gestapo infraction points to issue for you! :D

FUN FACT: The only 2 persons that voted "no" voted in all 4 aswell. (At least right now)

FUN FACT: The only 2 persons that voted "no" voted in all 4 aswell. (At least right now)and of those 2, one was splinter who's vote doesn't count because he voted on all 4. the other was yauhui, who's vote doesn't count due to popular opinion that his vote doesn't count :p

I take that as a compliment. :p

I vote yes to complete publicity. I disagree that hiding the community forums will be an incentive. In fact it will be little different to what we have now as effectively all an unregistered user will be able to see are support forums (disregarding the small amount of discussion you may get in a forum related to a specific game, considering most of them are for older games). It misses the point of this poll.

The stealing of fan art is low risk because it will become official once posted in the Fan Art forum by the original author, and it cannot be stolen and falsely claimed to be the work of another author until it has been posted. If someone else displays the work and claims to be the author off-site, then the proof of that being false is right here for all to see. Enjoy a wider audience.

I don't think the comment in the 'Yes' answer is good for setting a cheerful tone here in the forum, Kieran :rolleyes:

Anyone picking all four will be deemed an idiot and infracted accordingly :p

Whoops, I didn't read that :p

Aye, this place has changed a lot since we started infracting people just for being thick.

It's got quieter, for one thing.

If I voted in all four, surely my vote wouldnt count anyway? :p

I agree with the closed community. It's community, meaning you're a part, not you walk through it.
Melon is sexy.

I agree with the closed community. It's community, meaning you're a part, not you walk through it.There's a difference between viewing a forum and posting in it.

Melon is sexy.
Hey, you're not allowed say that!
Only guys can.
Because it's Melon.

I agree with the closed community. It's community, meaning you're a part, not you walk through it.
Melon is sexy.
We're not saying that unregistered users will be able to post, just that they'll be able to read everything. They'll still have to register to post.

One of my reasons for supporting this change is that this is primarily a support forum. Most people come here to find solutions to their problems, and have no intention of staying anyway, so why clog up the database with their registration info?

I agree. The support forums should certainly be able to be viewed by guests. I hate it when I'm searching for something and have to sign up to a forum to see if there's the offchance that there is the information that I want.

I voted yes. My reasons are the same as already stated in this thread. Also, I noticed that more people voted for the "fake poll choice" than voted for "No."

Mods can't remove infractions :p Not so sure about the second bit though :p

LIES! :mad:

Everyone knows mods can travel trough time so you can GO BACK IN TIME and STOP YOURSELF from INFRACTING THE SEXY MELON.

No no, I mean I agree with the community part of the forum being closed. Sorry for not making that clear :o
The community parts should be for people who are actually a part of it.

I can understand you wanting to cater for existing community members by keeping it special and restricting those outside who do not 'truly' wish to be a part of it, Kelster, but that's unfair on anyone who might be a new community member and just doesn't realise it yet. If they don't see what the community forums contain, then there isn't much to attract them to it. You can't rely on natural curiosity, nor can you rely on people being arsed to go to the bother of creating an account when they could be doing something more interesting. You also can't rely on word of mouth alone to spread knowledge of the community's existence. A person would not normally know there were community forums if all they could see were the support forums. There would have to be an announcement somewhere on the forum index telling them about it, which is a bit unnecessary. There is no benefit at all to covering up the community forums.

It's really just theft of artwork I'm concerned about.

Would people generally be happy if all forums were made viewable by guests EXCEPT for the FanArt forum?

Would people generally be happy if all forums were made viewable by guests EXCEPT for the FanArt forum?yup we would :p

Would people generally be happy if all forums were made viewable by guests EXCEPT for the FanArt forum?
i would support any initiative to make that happen.

Ditto. And make a descriptive message why not, like "In order to prevent theft of the art posted in this channel, unregistered users cannot view the posts within" or something to that effect.

Why do you care if someone 'steals' your art? What's to stop them from signing up and then stealing it? And who are they kidding, trying to convince a bunch of people you will never know that they did it? The fact that it was posted here by you before they posted it proves you are the author. And remember, this is Worms art. I doubt much of it will be 'stolen' at all. You should be proud to display it publicly.

Why do you care if someone 'steals' your art? What's to stop them from signing up and then stealing it? And who are they kidding, trying to convince a bunch of people you will never know that they did it? The fact that it was posted here by you before they posted it proves you are the author. And remember, this is Worms art. I doubt much of it will be 'stolen' at all. You should be proud to display it publicly.
That was exactly what I was thinking. Especially as you're not going to actually lose anything if they steal it. It's not like your art sells at €20,000 a piece.

Why do you care if someone 'steals' your art? What's to stop them from signing up and then stealing it? And who are they kidding, trying to convince a bunch of people you will never know that they did it? The fact that it was posted here by you before they posted it proves you are the author. And remember, this is Worms art. I doubt much of it will be 'stolen' at all. You should be proud to display it publicly.
but then again, i doubt a lot of people on the net will be searching for a source of worms art, thinking, 'if only the fan art section of t17 forums would allow me to view the art without registering'.

the reasons to keep it closed might be weak, but the reasons to make it open are non-existent, so it might as well be kept closed.

Let's think about this realistically. If guests actually see the crap that lies beneath Fan Art, then they'll never sign up. :p

Let's think about this realistically. If guests actually see the crap that lies beneath Fan Art, then they'll never sign up. :p
Why did that comment almost make me fall off my chair :p

Will submit the proposals to the Almighty Volcadmin soon and see what he says.

Let's think about this realistically. If guests actually see the crap that lies beneath Fan Art, then they'll never sign up. :p
that's actually a good point.

p.s. last sentence of your sig makes no sense. that is the words by themselves do, but not when stringed together like this.

That was exactly what I was thinking. Especially as you're not going to actually lose anything if they steal it. It's not like your art sells at €20,000 a piece.

There is scandals though. Don't you all remember that guy who came through a year ago or so and posted fan-art right off of one of the Worms sites?

No...

'Scandals'? Big deal. At least then you can see who the idiots are because they're posting other people's art ;)

There are benefits to opening FanArt for viewing by the public - it encourages them to get in on the action. Not only do you have the chance to talk about stuff, you can also submit your own Team17- related art! That will appeal to any new artists out there who want to try their hand at drawing characters from their favourite Team17 games. Plus they'll be able to see the best talent the forum already has to offer. There is no benefit in keeping it closed.

There is scandals though. Don't you all remember that guy who came through a year ago or so and posted fan-art right off of one of the Worms sites?
But surely he still had to register to see the forum then, but he still did it.

It won't make a difference. If somebody is going to steal your art, they'll probably download it off of your DeviantArt anyway. Heck, it's easier to find in DeviantArt. Anybody who is worried about their art being stolen can just hide a cunning signature inside the picture. If you're lucky enough to have access to things like photoshop, they can invisibly signature images too.

Besides, considering a lot of the stuff in the Fan Art forum, consider yourself lucky that somebody wants to steal your work. ;)

Forum should be able to be viewed by none signed/registered people so incase I forget my account stuff, I can still at least see whats been going on lately.

Hmmm, seems I totally forgot to request this to volc - have no time at the minute so will do it over the weekend.

Does he not have the ability to view threads on this forum or something? webmaster at team17 dot com, is it? Perhaps someone else can do it for you?

Does he not have the ability to view threads on this forum or something? webmaster at team17 dot com, is it? Perhaps someone else can do it for you?

Probably just wants to make sure he sees this topic specifically.

volcadmin knows all and sees all.

Does he not have the ability to view threads on this forum or something? webmaster at team17 dot com, is it? Perhaps someone else can do it for you?
I'll just bung a thread in the mod forum :p Much quicker.

I'll just bung a thread in the mod forum http://forum.team17.co.uk/images/newsmilies/tongue.gif Much quicker.

Mod forums make baby jesus cry

Don't worry, there's nothing interesting in there - just threads detailing every single infraction issued :p

Plus a few secret plans and stuff like that which you lot probably shouldn't know about ;)

Plus a few secret plans and stuff like that which you lot probably shouldn't know about ;)

Like World Domination?

Don't worry, there's nothing interesting in there - just threads detailing every single infraction issued :p

Plus a few secret plans and stuff like that which you lot probably shouldn't know about ;)
Anyone that's known Thomas long enough will know that you're just making that stuff up to make it sound like he's doing a lot of work on this forum. There's only one thread in the mod forum so far, and it's titled "How about that weather, eh?".

Anyone that's known Thomas long enough will know that you're just making that stuff up to make it sound like he's doing a lot of work on this forum. There's only one thread in the mod forum so far, and it's titled "How about that weather, eh?".

Nah, i believe its titled: The laze about and don't do any work, thread

Nah, i believe its titled: The laze about and don't do any work, threadoddly enough I see this guess being more accurate :p

oddly enough I see this guess being more accurate :p

I got the BW status.

I mean c'mon, it was meant as a joke and i didn't mean it to be offensive, ah well i've got BW and thats the end of it, really.

And for the record, none of the mods issued that infraction.

Also, small update on this - vocadmin's going to talk to Spadge when he's back from his holiday (June 11th), as this is Spadge's call... apparently.

Lol, I can't believe ShadowMoon got Watched for that :p

And now for my dramatic reveal - I AM SPADGE.

Actually that was a joke, but it'd explain this particular decision quite nicely, wouldn't it?

And now for my dramatic reveal - I AM SPADGE.

Actually that was a joke, but it'd explain this particular decision quite nicely, wouldn't it?

If it were done, more members would come.

Because people don't want to register to view the forum- they want to view it for a bit first.

Lol, I can't believe ShadowMoon got Watched for that :p
Technically, that wasn't a "Being Watched" infraction, it was just the straw that broke the camel's back.


Anyway, let's wait till Spadge is back, then we'll see what'll happen.

I got the BW status.

I mean c'mon, it was meant as a joke and i didn't mean it to be offensive, ah well i've got BW and thats the end of it, really.
Honestly, I have a half suspicion that was also issued because your joke was unfunny and already done by me just before*. The opposite to being funny is being serious, so you have to be careful that your jokes are good if you want to make ones based on insults.
Consider yourself lucky you didn't insult Apple Inc in the process, or you could've gotten banned! :D

*Did I say "me"? I meant, umm... Aku, yes, him, I totally respect and adore all people in this forum that are capable of dishing out infractions!

He insulted Apple. Ban him!

Honestly, I have a half suspicion that was also issued because your joke was unfunny and already done by me just before*. The opposite to being funny is being serious, so you have to be careful that your jokes are good if you want to make ones based on insults.
Consider yourself lucky you didn't insult Apple Inc in the process, or you could've gotten banned! :D

*Did I say "me"? I meant, umm... Aku, yes, him, I totally respect and adore all people in this forum that are capable of dishing out infractions!

Either way that is the very last time i make a joke about the mods.......:(

I'm confused. what was so bad about the comment before the editing? :confused:

if it was the comment that I replied to that got infracted, then I really do want to know what the infraction was about that doesn't warrant me and plasma getting one too :p

I'm confused. what was so bad about the comment before the editing? :confused:
I was serious with my explanation on that, y'know.

I was serious with my explanation on that, y'know.so...what? insulting mods is an offense for newer users while us oldbies get away free? it's not like his jibe was a particularly cutting remark. lord knows I've done worse than that without punishment.

hey thomas, go **** yourself.

see? :p ;)

so...what? insulting mods is an offense for newer users while us oldbies get away free?
Umm... If I might ask, how on earth did you get "time on the forum matters" from my post?
Keyword: humour

Umm... If I might ask, how on earth did you get "time on the forum matters" from my post?
Keyword: humouryes, but whether the joke is funny or not is hardly a reason to infract someone. lord knows we've all had our share at bad attempts at humor. not being funny isn't a crime last I checked.

hey thomas, go **** yourself.

I'd laugh so hard if you got watched...

I'd laugh so hard if you got watched...I'm fully expecting something along those lines :p

I'm fully expecting something along those lines :p
And you'd well deserve it for the spamming in all those years. :D
I just say: 10,000+ posts!

And you'd well deserve it for the spamming in all those years. :D
I just say: 10,000+ posts!maybe it would finally get me to learn when to shut the hell up....

...maybe not :p

Am I the only one who finds it amusing that thomasp voted for the "I think thomasp should remove Melon's infraction. Also, Melon is incredibly sexy." poll choice?

Are you admitting that you got it wrong? thomasp sucks :p Nyer nyer nyer.

Am I the only one who finds it amusing that thomasp voted for the "I think thomasp should remove Melon's infraction. Also, Melon is incredibly sexy." poll choice?

Are you admitting that you got it wrong? thomasp sucks :p Nyer nyer nyer.

Mods can't remove infractions. Only admins can.


And this thread is so hideously off topic now, even without the help of Paul.Power :p

Am I the only one who finds it amusing that thomasp voted for the "I think thomasp should remove Melon's infraction. Also, Melon is incredibly sexy." poll choice?
You only noticed this now?

And this thread is so hideously off topic now, even without the help of Paul.Power :p
It has come to my attention that Shadowman has the same ability to pull threads off-topic as Paul does. Must be a Swansea thing.

WOO! 1-point infraction! (for the original post, rather than the one where I told thomas to **** off) ......bast.... :p

Mods can't remove infractions. Only admins can.


And this thread is so hideously off topic now, even without the help of Paul.Power :pwell the thread has rather run its course, don't you think? the question has been answered and what-not and we're awaiting the decision from the owners.

Quickly, talk before it gets locked!


What about that weather in Berlin?

Quickly, talk before it gets locked!


What about that weather in Berlin?
I don't know. I wanted to see Berlin's weather, but I couldn't because I had to register to Berlin first.

Somebody call their government and tell them to change this. It drives me nuts.

I hope the weather in Manchester is nice tomorrow, the Second Test starts then.

It's really sunny where I'm at.

Rain rain rain rain rain.

It's currently chucking it down in the Midlands, and since this thread is now off-topic, I'll lock it until Spadge is back and I have more news on this.


*Thread closed, possibly temporarily*

This change has now been made, so guests can view the forum. I'm going to re-open this thread for a short while so if there are glitches they can be reported.

Please let us know if there are any problems with this.

Hooray !

And now people who get banned are still able to lurk on the forum!

Apparently there was a glitch in it that allowed banned users to still view threads, but I can't remember what the glitch was. Doesn't matter now though :D

But they won't be able to post anyways, so does it really matter?

they were banned for misconduct, why should they have the privilege of seeing "new" posts since there last visit?

It is a glitch and we are investigating how to remove said loophole.

they were banned for misconduct, why should they have the privilege of seeing "new" posts since there last visit?they were banned for misconduct. meaning they don't know how to post. whether or not they could read wasn't part of the banning and even if it was, so long as they can't continue their retarded responses to posts they can't read what does it matter if they try? :p

they were banned for misconduct. meaning they don't know how to post. whether or not they could read wasn't part of the banning and even if it was, so long as they can't continue their retarded responses to posts they can't read what does it matter if they try? :p

They could get encouraged to make a new account to just answer whatever could be said about them. For example. They were stupid enough to get banned once, why not again?

They could get encouraged to make a new account to just answer whatever could be said about them. For example. They were stupid enough to get banned once, why not again?
Then they'll get detected caught many ways and permabanned.

They could get encouraged to make a new account to just answer whatever could be said about them. For example. They were stupid enough to get banned once, why not again?nearly all the second accounts people make get caught pretty quickly. I mean, it's rather obvious if a new guy joins just to defend someone who's recently been banned...

They can just delete their Team17 Forum cookie, and view it as an unregistered user. So who cares?

Indeed. I rather like the idea of enabling banned users to see the forum index and posts so they can see "What you could have won!"

Indeed. I rather like the idea of enabling banned users to see the forum index and posts so they can see "What you could have won!"
...so that they don't bother coming back once their ban is lifted, right?

...so that they don't bother coming back once their ban is lifted, right?well, if that's an added side effect I doubt anyone would complain much :p

...so that they don't bother coming back once their ban is lifted, right?

Nahh, so we can make fun of them and they can't say **** about it, haha!

No, j/k. Banning them from posting but allowing them to read it would make it seem less harsh to them, as if the ban was necessary but we don't mind you looking in the hope that you'll think about what you've done and not be so bad next time. It should also help prevent them making a second account, and doesn't smack of rage-fuelled exiling.

But it's not a major issue.

Just an idea, but so everyone knows, perhaps create a thread in the announcements section?

If you ask me, this is a thing where it needs to be announced, because some users don't visit OO, (thus, if it was announced in the announcements section, more people would then know)

Just an idea, but so everyone knows, perhaps create a thread in the announcements section?

If you ask me, this is a thing where it needs to be announced, because some users don't visit OO, (thus, if it was announced in the announcements section, more people would then know)a thread for what, specifically, are you asking about?

a thread for what, specifically, are you asking about?

A thread that explains that unregistered users can now view the forum.

A thread that explains that unregistered users can now view the forum.a thread (which you previously would have had to have been registered to read) to announce that unregistered users can now read threads (which they would have to have noticed in order to read the thread announcing this)? :rolleyes:

Actually, the "announcements" section can be read. Log out as a guest and try clicking on any thread in there, because i can read it.

And maybe, they could put in the thread: If you have any comments or suggestions about this please come to this thread (this thread been the link to this thread)

Actually, the "announcements" section can be read. Log out as a guest and try clicking on any thread in there, because i can read it.
Umm, Shadowman? Every section can be read now. That's the thing that Thomas thought to tell this thread.

It's kind of pointless stating that guests can now view all forums bar FanArt, since they will be able to find that out for themselves, just like pretty much every other internet forum. And particularly as a guest will have most likely not been here before so will be unaware of previous policies.

I think the benefit of an announcement would mainly be for existing users who don't visit Online Orgy much. Most people stay logged in. So it may well be of some benefit for those people to know.

I think the benefit of an announcement would mainly be for existing users who don't visit Online Orgy much. Most people stay logged in. So it may well be of some benefit for those people to know.but the only people affected by it are those who previously had to log in to read the threads. as you said, most people remain logged in, so how would anyone benefit from an announcement?

1) any registered members would know about the change because of the announcement and this thread duh.
2) all registered members (that read announcements or look here) will be able to spread the word on WormNet and other places ;) thus increasing amount of guests.

Not all registered members, because some don't visit online orgy, thus, they won't know.

But those members also don't read the announcements forum :p

Maybe not, but they could see the thread on the index.

Maybe not, but they could see the thread on the index.so they're going to ignore the announcements section entirely but still notice it in the index? :p

They can't ignore it though, can they? It's the first thing they will see on the index.

I'm all for putting up an announcement.

I mean, it won't hurt anyone will it? There's still a thread visible in the announcements section that says you have to register to view all the forums except for the announcement one.

Besides, we haven't had an announcement in a while. Let's try to look lively!

I'm all for putting up an announcement.



I mean, it won't hurt anyone will it? There's still a thread visible in the announcements section that says you have to register to view all the forums except for the announcement one.



Besides, we haven't had an announcement in a while. Let's try to look lively!
Seconded. Melon is sexy.

Melon is sexy.
^ This

Agreed. If registered members aren't aware that unregistered members can view posts now, they probably won't be as eager to post URLs to their friends. Plus announcements make the place look alive and not dead. And Melon is sexy.

Besides, we haven't had an announcement in a while. Let's try to look lively!lol, I give you this part at least :p

the rest is pointless but whatever.