General Discussion: Private vs Public Forum

[bigharpoon]

I voted to keep it Public.

We already have private sub-forums (which I almost never visit because nothing really ever happens in there).

It would be a shame to close the doors to people who will grow into valuable members. I rarely post because I have only been smoking CC for about a year and a half and don't have much valuable input to offer but I love reading and learning and following all of your conversations. I'm sure there are many more like me out there lurking and learning with very low post counts. Some day we will be right in the mix.

As a member of a NC forum which started out small and is now enormous I think the real question is how to keep this forum from getting over-run with newbie yahoos who fluff post and attack others and add no real contributions. If you can do that then all will be good.

[Havanaaddict]

I would say public as I don't really see a need to be private!!! I can see a need if the owner or owners are here in the states especially if they are running lots of GBs and other types of things!!! If you have ever met Rob you should he is a very charismatic guy and it would be a shame to hide him on a private board!!!

[Trevor2118]

I voted Public.....my opinion as a member (not as a moderator).

[Grahamsant]

I can definitely see the benefits of staying public and i can see the benefits of moving to a private format.

I know for one that I wouldn't be here if it had already been private, I found FOH thanks to watching the YouTube review videos and after reading trough some of the existing forum decided it would be a good idea to join myself. I've learnt so many great things since I've been here, I've done an order through the main site and I plan on getting in on the next LFTW.

I think if a move to Private is part of the natural progression of the forum then I would vote for a public fronted hybrid. Something that would still allow new members to join and allow the new members to be "sponsored" by existing members if they didn't know anybody here before they joined.

[meatball41]

I've been thinking about this since originally posted and haven't voted yet. I can see the benefits/detriments of both, selfishly my original thought was make it private but I'm leaning towards the dual public/private solution other posters have already mentioned now. I'm not sure what requirements would work best however for gaining access to the private forum. Time may be the best so you don't encourage meaningless posts. (I'm coming up on a year, that would be a good starting point. ?)

That said, I like FOH exactly how it is, it's truely a global cultural exchange that I enjoy very much and there is no other place like it on the web or otherwise. Change is inevitable however, I'm sure whatever decision is made will only make FOH better.

[Habana Mike]

I would say public as I don't really see a need to be private!!! I can see a need if the owner or owners are here in the states especially if they are running lots of GBs and other types of things!!! If you have ever met Rob you should he is a very charismatic guy and it would be a shame to hide him on a private board!!!

I believe FOH should remain a public board though there should be requirements similar to accessing the Trading room for some of the more specialized or high-end offerings and events.

I agree private boards as described above make sense, need to find one that'd have me

[Skyfall]

Spitballing here:

What if it was kept public, but with the availability for each member to designate certain posts of their own discretion private, only visible to members. Maybe a button function like the "like this" function, where you can choose on any post you make to be public or private. The post will always be public as the default, unless otherwise chosen.

You could even go as far as setting the private viewing metrics as to those able to view the private posts to members who have over 100 post or something like that.

My 2 cents.

[Ginseng]

Speaking as a member, I would like to see FOH remain a fully public board.

Private individual and group communications can be carried out via messaging or the regional subforums.

Like some of you, I've been a member of numerous boards over the years. Public. Private. Secret. Indpendent. Subforum of a public board. Only in the very heyday of online cigars forums did non-public forums offer a tangible benefit beyond free trading. For a multiplicity of reasons, those benefits don't seem to be much of a factor anymore. Shadows of what once was.

Uncommonly then, and rarely now, does a non-public forum foster broader appreciation and inclusivelness. Failing, in a number of cases, even among the greater public forum in which it was situated, much less out in the greater online cigar community.

So then what have I seen it cultivate? In the worst of cases insularity. Contempt. Social stratification. Like-mindedness. Self-importance. Intolerance.

But it's not all negatives. Especially back in the day, there were some things that could not be said out in the light of day. Now, most of what shouldn't be or isn't said isn't because of discretion but merit.

Speaking as a moderator, I find working this forum more of a joy than any other i've been a part of. The effort of managing my duties is straightforward and reasonable. You want to know why? The membership. You guys make this job the best one in cigar forum land. What I'm saying is that at least as far as I'm concerned, don't let our workload be too much of a factor in how you weigh your opinion.

There is my 0.02 Dogecoin.

Wilkey

[HarveyBoulevard]

If our Fearless Leader and the Mods don't need a change for business or workload purposes, I don't see a need for change.

I already put .03 cents in earlier so this once just counts as a half cent piece.

[PapaDisco]

I'd guess that a public forum with private sub-forums is only helpful in managing the riffraff, which doesn't seem to be much of an issue here . . . well, more or less . . . and you know who you are!

The public/private mix probably doesn't keep this forum under the radar of regulatory agencies.

An all private forum would likely help keep FOH out of the casual regulatory eye, and would likely keep HSA off the reviewers' backs when critical reviews are posted.

I do think it's tough to keep purely private forums alive and well. I'm in one that's continuing to do well 10 years on, but that's a rarity in my experience.

[El Guero]

As a new member i would still be lost and alone if this forum were private.

[ayepatz]

Heart says public.

Head says private.

Thank you, governments everywhere.

[Pedro2486]

Speaking as a member, I would like to see FOH remain a fully public board.

Private individual and group communications can be carried out via messaging or the regional subforums.

Like some of you, I've been a member of numerous boards over the years. Public. Private. Secret. Indpendent. Subforum of a public board. Only in the very heyday of online cigars forums did non-public forums offer a tangible benefit beyond free trading. For a multiplicity of reasons, those benefits don't seem to be much of a factor anymore. Shadows of what once was.

Uncommonly then, and rarely now, does a non-public forum foster broader appreciation and inclusivelness. Failing, in a number of cases, even among the greater public forum in which it was situated, much less out in the greater online cigar community.

So then what have I seen it cultivate? In the worst of cases insularity. Contempt. Social stratification. Like-mindedness. Self-importance. Intolerance.

But it's not all negatives. Especially back in the day, there were some things that could not be said out in the light of day. Now, most of what shouldn't be or isn't said isn't because of discretion but merit.

Speaking as a moderator, I find working this forum more of a joy than any other i've been a part of. The effort of managing my duties is straightforward and reasonable. You want to know why? The membership. You guys make this job the best one in cigar forum land. What I'm saying is that at least as far as I'm concerned, don't let our workload be too much of a factor in how you weigh your opinion.

There is my 0.02 Dogecoin.

Wilkey

Excellent post mate

He he he dogecoin. Much wow

[Chaki]

For my own selfish reasons, keep it as it is

[Habana Mike]

Excellent post mate

He he he dogecoin. Much wow

"To the moon!"

[Pedro2486]

[Ginseng]

Wilkey

[asmartbull]

I am more of a lurker than poster, but am more involved on other sites, so take this as you see fit. Frankly I am surprised that there isn't private forum within the forum...and if this is the case, it is how I would proceed. I just think it is way to late to take the entire forum black, and not sure it is a good business model.

Just .02 that isn't worth that anymore.

sent while mobile....

[LordAnubis]

Stay public I reckon. FoH has a no tossers alowed rule and thats pretty well enforced. A few slip through the cracks every now and then and are swiftly dealt with. If required in the future have more moderators to ensure promt action and coverage at all times of day.

I look at the private forums we have on here as it is (the *****AS section etc etc) I think those forums would provide a much greater help to the community if they were open to everyone. I do understand why they are private but still.

In any case, stay public i think.

[Agricola]

Stay public in my opinion.

If motivation for private forums is fear of government snooping, you'll probably get far more mileage out of a tin foil hat. Added to that you won't be viewing FOH in 6 months to the echoes of crickets and balls of tumbleweed "blowin' in the wind".

[Geaux]

What does it do for guys with one post that were members before the private deal?......

[Habanos2000]

Aside from all the housekeeping the mod's have to do as the site grows, and I'm very grateful for their hard work, cigars are inherently an inclusive passion and the thought of having to be a member to participate on FOH not only turns me off but I think also will reduce the amount of participation and learning for anyone and everyone interested this fine hobby.

We already have password protected areas to discuss confidential matters. I do not want to see FOH relegated to those who "qualify".

[Susanne]

I have no doubt that governments are actively looking on websites anyway, so for that reason pub VS priv is not an issue - likely, they're already watching us, taking copious notes, and making reservations in various and sundry internment, er, "relocation and labour" facilities... (OK, I'll go put that tinfoil hat on now --lol-- )

I like the public avenue, as it not only opens up so much info to those new at cigars and have nowhere to turn, and opens avenues to like-minded people who for reasons of geography don't have a local cigar shop or watering hole to enjoy similar topics... On a purely business stand, going private would lessen your marketing footprint and visibility to potential customers. Put it this way - how will a newbie have a way to determine those "Gonibas", "Paunch", and "Fartigas" aren't legit without the knowledge of those who know, and as such get a truly ghastly box of sticks, attribute them to the island, and thereby give those small tastes of heaven an indelible black eye...

Now, if you'll pardon me, I'm off to smoke one of those "He told me it was really the real deal" 5 round dot row Candela wrapper Gohibas... I just can't wait...

[ShortFatHokie]

Public or Private???

It depends. If I'm allowed in the "Private" forum, then, yes, by all means, go private. If I'm not, I vote public. LOL

I was referred here to this forum by a member a long time ago...five years ago, to be exact. I don't post much, this being only my 20th post, but read the board often...and have really started to take advantage of the "special sales" that are posted from time to time (just ordered two boxes on the end of the month clearance).

I have no issues with a public forum, however, as some have already stated, I think a private forum for sales and specials and such is a great idea. That is, as long as I'm invited.

[mncz]

Particularly for those just getting into cigars, public forums are an invaluable source. Take away FOH as a public cigar resource and in part we turn our backs on those who are commencing the journey.

I'd like to make a case for the private "evolution". As previously mentioned, it makes great sense and perhaps is the best option for the safety and sustainability of the community. Furthermore...

As someone who has gained membership for a number of private websites, I don't find the "private" nature of a website to be at all deterring. In fact, it actually helps catalyze the type of interest that such passionate communities desire. An individual who has heard about the website through word-of-mouth is hardly an outsider. Every time that I've been in the position wherein I've learned of a community from which I believe that I have something to gain by becoming a member, I've done my research and found the proper way in. This process garners true interest and instills a respect and appreciation for the community that is not always seen in public venues. That is especially the case when the prospective member does not have a direct connection via a friend or associate who holds membership (which has been the case for me on numerous occasions).

That's my two pennies worth, ladies and gentlemen. This is an addition to the great comments made here, and I hardly believe that there's a need to echo the myriad of potential benefits that privatization would bring to the community. It has been a response to what I believe has been one of the most worthwhile concerns, which is that of the effective closing of our doors to potential-would be enthusiasts – a position that I believe would do well to consider the sentiments of my perspective.