Whenever a 'guest' looks into the forum they don't see the Chit-Chat option at all - it is hidden from them.

Wouldn't it make sense to let them see that such a section exists; at the same time denying them access to it? Knowing that there is an entire section that they cannot gain access to might result in a few more registrations.

I agree. I can't be bothered to log on all the time, therefore I do not read the Chit-Chat section. Didn't take long to change the title of the FAQ section. All changes for better communications.

With respect to above views, I disagree.

1. Its easy to login each time. In fact, so easy, I never do it, the forum does it for me automatically. Then I just see whats new without perusing the index of topics. It remembers me and tells me what I haven't seeen before. (Hoser and others, if you don't know how to do this, PM me and I'll point you in the right direction)

2. Someone brand new coming here will see 29 different topics. I very much doubt the absence of a chit chat area will stop them coming here. After all, they probably found this site while looking for something about Carvoeiro and thats what they are initially interested in. I'd hazard a guess that we all started that way, and then moved to chit chat after we'd become a part of the "Carvoeiro community". Because one now has to register in order to post, its all a very natural progression from CVO related issues to anything else under the sun (sic) - but still coming from a CVO related viewpoint - although indeed some of the "discussions" may contradict that thought

3. Somewhat related to point 2, I'd go further to suggest that this forum wants to encourage new registrations from Carvoeiro interested folks first, and then chatty folks second. The point being (and I'm repeating myself here) that the chit chat area is made up of CVO related folks, and not the general Internet community who have thousands of other forums in which to chat.


I guess at the end of the day (damm, been watching too many footballer interviews), it would be interesting to hear a response from some of the more recent registrants on why they registered and what areas attracted them and how they navigate now.

_____________________________
If at first you don't succeed, try management.

Would tend to agree with e-richard.
I had been viewing the forum for about a year before i registered just through a general interest in cvo and the life i hope to have there one day.
I tend to log on and use the option to view topics since last visited.

e-richard thanks for the offer but I know how to automatically log-in, just prefer not to.

If you go back to page 6 here on General, on March 10th, I asked exactly the same question...that Guests be allowed to view 'ChitChat', and then maybe they'd feel inclined to join and part-take.
But then again, chitchat is a little luxury for us here..a place where we can talk about anything..and after it was closed down for a while, I for one really missed it. So perhaps we shouldn't take it for granted?
For once, Im with Hoser, in that I am lazy about logging-in, and I purposely used to come onto General as 'elle'-guest' ....there was something 'free and easy' about it
ellie

P.S. Don't forget,we also have a chatroom here too! So am just giving this another little boost :
http://groups.msn.com/CarvoeiroChitChat/chat msn
If you want to have a natter with other members.