Guests Seeing Attachments

[Belloman]

This isn't a problem at my forum, I just thought it would be something interesting to see people's opinions on...

Do you allow guests to see/download attachments on your forums? If yes, why, and if no, why?

My answer to this question is yes - but this may be because my forums are more based towards downloads and sharing and whatnot, so it would just make sense to allow them to see attachments, rather than force them to register.

What are your views?

[Scott]

This is probably more dependant on the type of forum you have. A graphics fourum, for example, wouldn't make much sense if guests can't see what is being discussed. Main problem here is bandwidth use, and I can understand if forums disable guests from downloading to save in that area.

[SoftWareRevue]

Yeah. I can't think of any place I have guests restricted from downloading. But I can see why some forums do it.

I subscribe to a couple schools of thought on this topic. One being that, if someone's going to download attachments, they should have the decency to be a member of your forum. So require them to join. The other is that, if someone can't see what's attached, why should they join just to find out that the attachment isn't what they needed? So let them download. Maybe they'll be a repeat visitor.

[adb22791]

I don't allow guests to download attachements, becuase I think if their going to download what might be another members work they should at least take the 2 minutes to register, and maybe make a post. If I want to download an attachment at a forum, I usually just sign up even if I can download the attachment without registering.


Alex

[Odd Fact]

Bandwidth can be an issue. But I have seen some forums that could lessen avatar and signature sizes to allow for attachments to be alright. You should have the register. It is an incentive and will help build membership. Also by forcing them to take the time to register you will be slow down the scammers and spammers.

[Goober]

At the moment, I only have registerd memebers able to download attachments.

My reasoning is that if they are intrested the attachment then they will register, increasing memebers and increasing the chance they will be coming back to my forum.