User Profiles inaccessible to guests?

[Mormel]

As of a little while ago, it seems that I can't access user profiles when I'm logged out anymore. When I click on someone's name, it directs me to the page that says I can't view the page I was trying to access because I'm either not logged on or don't have access to it. When I'm logged on, this problem doesn't exist, of course. I checked the 'Who's Online?' page earlier today, and there I saw about 8 guests in a row all unable to access a user profile. Is this intentional?

[Brandon Hanvey]

That's new to me. Maybe Matt switched it.

[howyadoin]

As of a little while ago, it seems that I can't access user profiles when I'm logged out anymore. When I click on someone's name, it directs me to the page that says I can't view the page I was trying to access because I'm either not logged on or don't have access to it. When I'm logged on, this problem doesn't exist, of course. I checked the 'Who's Online?' page earlier today, and there I saw about 8 guests in a row all unable to access a user profile. Is this intentional?

Why would guests need to see our profiles?

[Mormel]

Why would guests need to see our profiles?

Because they're public profiles. We choose whatever we want to put into our biography/interests sections, etc., to give some background; there's always the option to not fill those parts in if you prefer not to reveal anything.

I know there are message boards where you can only access member profile information when you're a registered member yourself, but I find that the charm of CBR is that it appears very accessible and open, welcoming even. Its archives are easy to navigate, that's what drew me to this particular board. I think a message board that has either sub-forums or pages that can't be accessed directly without registering, will have a more 'distant', exclusive feel in the eyes of the casual surfer.

[Matt]

Yes, I changed it.

Unregistered people have no real business looking at member profile information. It is also part of increased anti-spam bot measures.

[Mormel]

Hmmm.... Well, thanks for clarifying.

[howyadoin]

Because they're public profiles. We choose whatever we want to put into our biography/interests sections, etc., to give some background; there's always the option to not fill those parts in if you prefer not to reveal anything.

I know there are message boards where you can only access member profile information when you're a registered member yourself, but I find that the charm of CBR is that it appears very accessible and open, welcoming even. Its archives are easy to navigate, that's what drew me to this particular board. I think a message board that has either sub-forums or pages that can't be accessed directly without registering, will have a more 'distant', exclusive feel in the eyes of the casual surfer.

This is really a criteria for you when you find a new message board? Whether you can read people's profiles without joining?

[Mormel]

This is really a criteria for you when you find a new message board? Whether you can read people's profiles without joining?

I haven't joined that many message boards, CBR was my first two years ago. And no, that's not a factor when I decide to join a message board. It's just that, now that it's changed, that 'access restricted' page is something I bumped my head against a couple of times.

But a snooper, I'm not.

[howyadoin]

I haven't joined that many message boards, CBR was my first two years ago. And no, that's not a factor when I decide to join a message board. It's just that, now that it's changed, that 'access restricted' page is something I bumped my head against a couple of times.

But a snooper, I'm not.

Sorry, wasn't trying to imply that you were. I was just trying to wrap my head around the issue.