Hello YoungBob,
If you have any concerns to add, please go ahead and do so.
M8
Hi Mod8,
Basically, I have 3 comments:
1. As hinted by “sigma69” in post ”#7”, registration will not stop an 11-year-old kid from doing just that, registering. It’s not like MERB is asking for credentials when applying for membership (and I am NOT suggesting MERB does). That said, it will stop some.
2. This one is very personal. Way back when, I found MERB purely by accident. I was googling a non-sex related topic and ended up here (in the Lounge actually). I know I would not be here today if the reviews had been hidden behind registration. I would have just kept going with my search.
“Lurkers” will (now have) become a thing of the past. Hopefully, new potential members (future reviewers, I would hope) won’t shy away from registering. I fear, though, many will not go through that extra step and discover how really, really helpful MERB is. I’ve said it before, MERB is FAN-TAS-TIC!
3. Lastly, is this your decision alone? I’m still a newbee here, but couldn’t something as important as this have been discussed as a group? Post #3 by Mod11 seems to suggest that he was not even aware of what was behind those changes. I understand I am just one user but, at the very least, a thread to talk about a major change like this would have been nice. Do you not think so?
Especially, while there is a long thread about “insults and name-calling” to get members opinions. Personally, I find that topic not as engaging as this one.
About that copyright issue. May I ask, how big of a problem is it? I understand independents and agencies won’t be able to link to reviews about them. Non-members following a link to MERB will be stopped dead in their tracks. I would think advertisers won’t like that one bit. They are going to have to “house” the reviews on their own sites. And they are going to ask permission to do so. I would think advertisers won’t like that either.
Maybe, I’m missing something?
P.S.: It may sound like I’m complaining, but I’m not. You guys (8 & 11) are doing a great job. Keep it up.
YoungBob