[Debate] Password Protected Boards: Good or Bad?

[Ram-El Caluviel Luper]

i agree. the only places i think passwords should be used for the board just for staff and (as my proboards websites has fanfiction and the such) the boards where member-made stuff (stories/poems/songs/pictures/etc) are located, so that random people can't just pop in and steal that sort of stuff. passwording those boards at least make it harder for such people to steal stuff.

[Dereon]

Password protection is a great feature, I even wish there were passwords for each category (like for boards) as well as "Limit Access" features for each board (like for categories). There are various reasons, for example if personal images are posted. Of course password protection must be used with care.

[`berkeley nightingale]

The only boards that I password protect really are staff one and photo ones. This is so that we can ensure that a member can be fully trusted before giving them access to other member's photos. Apart from that the only other thing I've ever password protected was when I ran a Harry Potter rp and we were doing an attack, we then password protected the death eater and order of the phoenix boards so they could keep stuff private from the other side.

Too many password protected boards always put me off joining a site, it makes me feel that I'm not eing included in something and like an outsider.

[zachwad22]

I find that I really have no need for password protected boards, they would just create confusion over passwords and perhaps even animosity between members. I don't need one even for staff boards as they can be simply made to be staff accessible only.

[anja1967]

I have no password protected boards, I used to have one called Armageddon, for people to continue their personal fights there, but I noticed, as soon as I moved a thread there it died . Some people like drama to be public, that is not allowed on my board, actually it is drama free, and therefore I removed that board...

I have one hidden category for staff only, in which we debate problems with members, new ideas for the board, etc...announce when a staff member is gone, things like that.

I was thinking about setting up a pw protected board for members to post their pictures, that they can join it after being ACTIVE members for more than 3 months, but have decided against it so far...

[anja1967]

driftaway said:

anja1967 said:

I was thinking about setting up a pw protected board for members to post their pictures, that they can join it after being ACTIVE members for more than 3 months, but have decided against it so far...

I agree. It's just lame, petty, and pointless. I've been to a board like that before, and a tactic like that would only repel people b/c it's manipulative. Instead of making them feel at home, they feel as if they must be there outta pure obligation, even if the forum is bad, boring, offensive, slow, or just downright crickets-chirping inactive [not active at all].

Moreover, if I went to a forum that had too many pw-protected boards, I would too, feel like an intruder on the privacy of someone's message board. I also find it offensive for some odd reason [as much as I respect privacy]. Ironically, this forum doesn't have a pw-protected board, unless it happens to be hidden from view, only for the mods/admins eyes only, as to not spark any curiosity from the regular members about it...

yes that is the way I feel too, I have a staff area, that is needed, but won't have any pw protected boards... if people want to post pictures, fine, if not, fine too... only members can see pictures, not guests...

[HoudiniDerek]

I have been on forums with no password protected boards...merely hidden ones that you are not sure are there. I have been on some where there are password protected boards for certain things like original artwork and such and that members have the right to request if they want to be involved. I have also been involved on sites where the password protected board is for those members who are active and want another way to contribute to the forum. They all have their advantages depending on the type of forum you run and the content you allow. I am glad Proboards gives the option to utilize it because it can be helpful.

I do have to say that I am not a fan of forums that have all or a majority of their boards protected by password or by having to log in. To me, THAT defeats the purpose of an open forum for discussion of topics.

[xoxKakiesxox]

passwords = horrible idea/nice idea

theyre a horrible idea because some people feel left out, or feel like they are gossiping or being rude to them and discussing it with the other members, while they dont know the password.

its also an awesome idea because the moderators sometimes like to discuss the plans for the future about their forum such as new things or contests and such privately so the members do not hear about the new additions, and then they will make it a surprise.

cya

[OH SO COOPERNATURAL !]

I think that password protected boards are only good for Staff Discussions. The people that you've chosen, and trust to help run your board should have a place to talk about certain topics that come up. Banning, Warning, Deleting, and even Suggestions.

Of course, there's a section for other members as well (Rp board, giving the Rpers a chance to Question, Comment, or Suggest).

I believe that the PW Protected board for a Staff Area is a great idea, and I also like the fact that people's feelings don't get hurt, if there's a thread of Admins/GMs/Mods trying to figure out if Banning or Warning's are in order, because it's not Public. No one gets Embarassed.

[blazikenblade]

Passwords are ok if you know how to use properly & for what purpose. I use them to lock content that are over 21 from prying eyes, never had a problem.

[Enchant]

Dec 5, 2007 21:46:50 GMT -8 blazikenblade said:

Passwords are ok if you know how to use properly & for what purpose. I use them to lock content that are over 21 from prying eyes, never had a problem.

Please clarify your comment and give at least a minimum of four sentences, this board is intended for discussions on personal experiences and suggestions...Thank you

[Joe Q]

Um, I'm new to this conversation so if it has already been discussed don't get mad. I run a HP based RP at Academy of Magical Learning. I used to use the password protected boards for the staff room, prefect's lounge and common rooms. But then I realized that the people can just give the password to someone from another house. So I started creating special groups.
i.e.: (these are the groups I have.)
admin
leone
aquila
blaireau
serpiente
leone prefect
aquila prefect
blaireau prefect
serpiente prefect
Head of leone
Head of aquila
Head of blaireau
Head of serpiente
Professor


Then Whenever I want to block something, I create a category for that group. For instance, common room. I have four categories for common rooms. I have one for each house. I go to modify category and put checks next to the students, prefects, admin, and head of that particular house. So then even if one of the students from another house gets the url, they can't get in. Unless they are assigned to the group they can't get in it comes up with an error message telling them that they don't have permission to gain access to that board.

[Enchant]

Dec 6, 2007 22:54:21 GMT -8 Joe Q said:

Um, I'm new to this conversation so if it has already been discussed don't get mad. I run a HP based RP at Academy of Magical Learning. I used to use the password protected boards for the staff room, prefect's lounge and common rooms. But then I realized that the people can just give the password to someone from another house. So I started creating special groups.
i.e.: (these are the groups I have.)
admin
leone
aquila
blaireau
serpiente
leone prefect
aquila prefect
blaireau prefect
serpiente prefect
Head of leone
Head of aquila
Head of blaireau
Head of serpiente
Professor


Then Whenever I want to block something, I create a category for that group. For instance, common room. I have four categories for common rooms. I have one for each house. I go to modify category and put checks next to the students, prefects, admin, and head of that particular house. So then even if one of the students from another house gets the url, they can't get in. Unless they are assigned to the group they can't get in it comes up with an error message telling them that they don't have permission to gain access to that board.

Welcome to the discussion and no worries we do not get mad...just make sure that you do read the rules of the boards...they will make things alot smoothier for you. As for your post... I actually think you brought up an interesting point...The idea of making individual groups as a way around password protected boards...however... I am wondering is it easier, is it worth it? I noticed that you have alot of groups.. I would imagine it would be complicated to keep track of them...and what about those who are in more then one group? Also, I think you brought up anouther food point as well...the passing of the password....what other ways do you think could deter that from happening?

[Joe Q]

Keeping track isn't hard. And I create new groups. Like for a house prefect. They need access to the common room and prefect's area. If I just put the house group in for the prefect's area anyone could get in. If I just had the prefect group, only prefects would be allowed into the common room. So I just make a house prefect group. Change cat allows and that's that.

[arsenal1993]

I think its a good idea as it makes sure that people that the staff dont want to access the board, cant access the board, the downside is that a member can guess the password or the once the password is given to 1 member, they may go off and tell other members, until the all the members know the password.

If its something like a staff area, then its better just to use a member group filter, so that only people who are recognised as staff on the forum may enter the area, this is more effective than a password because staff dont have to waste time entering a password, they just have to click on the board, also this prevents unauthorised access.