Can't get to High Sierra Topix without first logging in

[ERIC]

The “incompleteness” of the site also had me scratching my head and wondering when I first came here. It seemed like just a shell of a site with a great forums section (and great people), but the main page had mostly dead links. Even some of the sponsor links were dead. It really had me wondering who was paying for all this. Now, I don’t even think about any of it, I just participate.

Yep, it's incomplete. Unfortunately, I just don't have the time I used to to spend on keeping up on it. Aside from about $20/year (before taxes) I get from a few Amazon commissions here and there, the cost of the site comes out of my own pocket.

[ERIC]

I am removing the login requirement on the Backpacking/Hiking/Camping forum. The requirement will remain on the Fishing Hole forum as it was before.

TIFWIW, during the 4 days the setting was in affect 16 new members registered, one of which posted to a thread. In the 4 days prior, only 6 new members registered, one of which posted to a thread. A similar trend was seen when the setting was applied to the Fishing Hole.

[sirlight]

Aside from about $20/year (before taxes) I get from a few Amazon commissions here and there, the cost of the site comes out of my own pocket.

Let's keep the site as non-commercial as possible. I am sure most here will agree. Still, I personally have no problem dropping by here and clicking a sponsor link. If I am going to rei.com to buy something anyway, I would rather that purchase help support maintenance of this site. The links need to be valid for this.

[ERIC]

Let's keep the site as non-commercial as possible. I am sure most here will agree. Still, I personally have no problem dropping by here and clicking a sponsor link. If I am going to rei.com to buy something anyway, I would rather that purchase help support maintenance of this site. The links need to be valid for this.

Keeping it as non-commercial as possible has always been the goal. But you're right about needing to take care of the invalid links. Some wont return, such as REI which (I believe) has since done away with its commission program. I think the only ads/commission programs I'll keep are Amazon, MyTopo and CafePress.

[Mike M.]

Eric, thanks for listening and for making the change back to a more open Hiking/Backpacking forum. Obviously, I prefer it.

Just to explain myself, I misinterpreted your initial reply to my thread -- it sounded to me like you were flashing the proverbial finger my way and didn't really care to hear my "meddling" input. I guess I'll have to take a class on how to read smilies!

The sky is falling today in Portland -- it is raining again.

Mike

[Mike M.]

TIFWIW, during the 4 days the setting was in affect 16 new members registered, one of which posted to a thread. In the 4 days prior, only 6 new members registered, one of which posted to a thread. A similar trend was seen when the setting was applied to the Fishing Hole.

Hardly surprising, since the only way users would have been able to view links was by registering. Tracking overall hits before and after the change would be a more meaningful measure. (No, I'm not suggesting a test!! Let's leave it the way it is, please!)

Mike

[ERIC]

Hardly surprising, since the only way users would have been able to view links was by registering. Tracking overall hits before and after the change would be a more meaningful measure. (No, I'm not suggesting a test!! Let's leave it the way it is, please!)

Mike

I already ran those numbers, just didn't post:

4 Days Prior to the change
Ave Visits/Day: 645.25
Ave Hits/Day: 22,807.00
Ave Hits/Visit: 35.35

4 Days Following the change
Ave Visits/Day: 678.50
Ave Hits/Day: 23,671.50
Ave Hits/Visit: 34.89

[ERIC]

Eric, thanks for listening and for making the change back to a more open Hiking/Backpacking forum. Obviously, I prefer it.

Just to explain myself, I misinterpreted your initial reply to my thread -- it sounded to me like you were flashing the proverbial finger my way and didn't really care to hear my "meddling" input. I guess I'll have to take a class on how to read smilies!

The sky is falling today in Portland -- it is raining again.

Mike

We'll let it be water under the bridge.

[Shawn]

Ave Hits/Day: 23,671.50

[rlown]

I'm no expert, but statistically insignificant. The missing stat is how many new logins did we have because of the change; ie, people identifying themselves to the forum.

The question that is still there: "Do people really eventually join and share because they see the value?"

[ERIC]

I'm no expert, but statistically insignificant. The missing stat is how many new logins did we have because of the change; ie, people identifying themselves to the forum.

The question that is still there: "Do people really eventually join and share because they see the value?"

Right you are. But it's probably impossible to track. I think unique visitors coupled with page views are arguably the most important stats readily available. For uniques we range between 5k to 12k per month depending upon the time of year, coupled with page views, which range between 120k to 250k per month. What that says to me is that those who visit, tend to stick around and spend a considerable amount of time looking through the threads. But it does not separate members from non-members...logged in, or not logged in.

The only way to get a slightly better idea of what affect member-locked threads have on the site would be to run an extended trial (more than just 4 days, for sure).