Open Membership

[Danny Neal]

After talking with 50+ ST members over the last few weeks I just want to know what everyones opinion on open membership is here on ST. Not that it is necessarily a good or bad thing, it is highly controversial. Hate it, love it, don't care just let me know by posting on the poll. Maybe overwhelming votes either way will end this issue for good. Any other thoughts are absolutely welcome...... Not trying to start a riot here.

EDIT: lol #1 choice should be can JOIN, not JOINING oops!

 

[Dan Cook]

We're going back to the essay requirement.

 

[Jayson Mills]

what about current members will they have to send an essay?

 

[Terry Tyler]

what about current members will they have to send an essay?

i doubt it...

not if you have to write one before you can get approved...

 

[Chris Engleman]

If you do that.... can we have an area for general topics that is open to anyone? Just basic Q&A for people who have genuine questions, but might be scared away from a purely closed system.

Chris

 

[Tim Vasquez]

Dan Cook is correct; we've gone to an application-only system. Currently new signups are closed but we will soon have some approval procedures in place involving all of the moderators. Details will appear on the registration page soon.

We're unable to have an open posting area, since it will be targeted by spammers and will end up being filled with complaints from people who have not (or not yet) been approved.

Tim

 

[Bart_Comstock]

Is this going to also be implemented for being able to post in the Target Area, or will that stay open to members once they are approved for a general membership?

 

[Josh Morgerman]

I assume that those us who were accepted back when the essay and chase credentials were required will be "grandfathered" into the new system-- correct?

 

[D. Hayes]

Why such strict requirements for joining a forum? Seams a bit overboard to me. I get annoyed when I got to decode those images and do math (12+2+2=?) just to prove I'm human. Throw in a essay and I for one wouldn't of bothered. What's next a PhD in meteorology?

What's going to happen is a small forum of old members who do nothing but post in the current storms forum. There's won't be any new members to ask those same old questions over and over again. There won't be new members bring fresh ideals to the table. Everyone's going to get bored and slowly leave to another forum. I do love this place but I don't understand the need to tighten the noose.

What other forums are out there with quality members like this that have the sheer numbers to keep fresh topics rolling in?

 

[Jason Boggs]

May seem a little silly, but here is an analogy for you.

Suppose you are an employer and you have a meteorology job open. Then suppose your only requirements for an interview are just to show up, no filling out an application or anything. The employer will have all kinds of people show up, including some that have no business even being there. Now the employer will have to scramble with tons of interviews to get to the right candidate that deserves the job.

Now, suppose the employer states in the job opening that the possible candidate must talk into an answering machine and tell the employer why he/she is the right candidate for the job. Then after the employee listens to the messages, he/she will know who the prime candidates are and can then interview them personally. Of course the candidates can lie, but the employer will still have a good idea who is fit for the job and who isn't.

So, as it pertains to this, we don't want everyone and their dog to show up and sign on to Stormtrack. We would rather have fewer, more serious and dedicated candidates show up and add value to the forum.

As the poll shows, most people here would agree.

 

[John Erwin]

I don't think it's unreasonable to ask potential members to indicate some form of dedication to this interest by way of an essay. After all, if somebody can't be bothered enough to spend the time to do that.. how can anybody expect them to post quality material, follow guidelines for posting or contribute otherwise? I don't think we'll see the requirement for fancy credentials here.

This seems to be an issue of epidemic proportions on forums these days.. especially those that have been established for quite some time and have some form of membership policy. Stormtrack is what it is today because of the members/moderators/admins and the policies that have shaped it. While there seems to be some issues that need addressing, I'd say the "community" is in good shape otherwise.

 

[Shane Adams]

What other forums are out there with quality members like this that have the sheer numbers to keep fresh topics rolling in?

I can think of one, but it's based on quality first. Quantity is of no concern.

You seem to value forums based on number of members above all else, in which case I might recommend http://www.hardcoreweather.com

They have almost three-times the membership of ST, and they are, in fact, exactly like ST would be times-three. You would probably be in heaven there.

 

[Andrew Kajfasz]

I see absolutely no reason why prospective new members can't write some sort of essay or decent length response as to why they would like to join the Stormtrack community.

Back when I joined, this was still an active requirement. I had to fill out an essay of sorts explaining why I wanted to join and I had absolutely no problem with that.

Like John said, if potential new members can't be bothered enough to spend the time to fill out an essay on why they would like to join, then who knows if they would or wouldn't be a quality member.

I actually loved the fact of filling out the essay and stuff because it proved to me that this isn't just some random weather forum that anyone and his grandmother can sign up for and just like that, be posting. It showed to me that the moderation of this forum wants this forum to be the best it can and not be full of flamers or trolls or those who may cause trouble more than discuss the weather.

Screened memberships will only further this forum in ensuring that those of us here are dedicated to weather and everything that goes with it. Knowing that these new members were screened and determined by moderation to be a good addition to this forum can do nothing but good.

So we may lose a few people here and there who may have been good members and contributors who won't take the time to fill out an essay. That'll happen no matter what forum or topic it is. Looking on the flip side, we'd have better chances at keeping trouble makers and the bad seeds out than if it was just open registration.

So I completely support bringing back the essay and screening new memberships. I think it can do only good for this forum and the current membership who went through it back when it was still a requirement is a testament to the good it does.

 

[Chris C Sanner]

As long as Tim can keep making the monthly server bill each month I see no reason why you shouldn't go to an essay membership to tighten things up as that seems to be the desire of the existing community. It will only make the new members better in the sense that they will have met some entrance requirements but rest assured you WILL lose out on some potential quality members as well, anyone who says you won't has never ran a board. Quite frankly in this case I think you can't go wrong either way, but since this is most likely not a profitable venture by Tim I would hope he'd choose quality of the boards over quantity at that point

 

[Jim Saueressig]

I think open membership can be a mistake when you let in numerous people who will never chase beyond their backyard (literally) or their computer desk. They seen a movie like Twister or an episode of Twister Sisters, Storm Chasers or Outlaw Chaser and decided it would be a neat thing to do so they come join the forum and off they go.

On the other hand I have chased locally (100 miles or so) for storm and lightning photo ops and for spotting purposes for 25 years because I enjoy it but I have no degrees in meteorology and therefore would not be accepted into an elitist meteorologist chasing forum. I won't be driving to Southern Texas or North Dakota for storms anytime soon though it is an option I hope to be able to do in a few years.

So do I fit? I think I am far from the armchair / NWS radar only chaser who will never get past the back yard for a picture but I will probably never be forecasting what county in another state I will be chasing in from a week ahead of time. Would my tornado report to local authorities or my chase log and photos from a chase within my range be worth less because I don't have a degree in meteorology?

Thats my two cents, (call it an essay if you wish, lol ) it won't buy a thing so just drop it in the penny tray if you don't want it.