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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl Public Forum >> The Forum >> Trade area https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1139014768 Message started by markysparky on Feb 4^th, 2006, 12:59am

Title: Trade area
Post by markysparky on Feb 4^th, 2006, 12:59am

If people who are not permitted into the trade area could actually see the trade forums but not actually enter them. It might encourage more people to apply to get in. (like TT have with their pub)

I must admit when I first started browsing this forum I was oblivious that a trade area actually existed until it was brought to my attention.

Just a suggestion that's all! ::)

Title: Re: Trade area
Post by Lectrician on Feb 4^th, 2006, 8:23am

It is possible to put the forums into view, but not allow anyone other than trade to enter them.......

Title: Re: Trade area
Post by JerryD on Feb 4^th, 2006, 9:42am

wrote on Feb 4^th, 2006, 12:59am:

That's a great idea markysparky, I didn't know the trade forum could be displayed like that.

There's nothing quite like being able to see something you can't have to make you want it even more...... :D

Lec, let's do it!

Title: Re: Trade area
Post by Lectrician on Feb 4^th, 2006, 12:45pm

Im not sure on it. It is possible, but will put all trade boards in view, and as people click the boards, they will get a "You are not allowed to view this board" message. By he time they have gone a few boards down, and had this message, they will loose interest in the whole board, as they will assume they have access to nothing.

If we do want to make it clear there are more rooms available, maybe we should show the Trade Category Header Bar, but none of the rooms. Then have a message in a bar below it (in place of the rooms) saying "To View The Trade Rooms, Please Apply For Trade Access".

Having a long list of rooms with no access would put off just as many people as it would encourage.

Either way, the trade area should be hidden until logged in.

Another thing I was looking into was to put a clickable message between the news fader at the top of the message index, and the boards. This would read something like "Click Here To Apply For Trade Access". This would then take you to the Trade Applications Thread, and eventually (when time permits), an online form to fill out and submit.

Title: Re: Trade area
Post by hamilton on Feb 4^th, 2006, 12:48pm

Title: Re: Trade area
Post by scotspark on Feb 4^th, 2006, 1:15pm

I like lecs idea

don't really like the idea of the trade area been read by non trade members

Title: Re: Trade area
Post by Lectrician on Feb 4^th, 2006, 1:25pm

wrote on Feb 4^th, 2006, 1:15pm:

I like lecs idea

don't really like the idea of the trade area been read by non trade members

It's not that they could read the trade area topics, they could just see the board names, but not access them - I don't like that idea for the reasons above.

A link to the Trade Application Procedure would be the best option I think, And then eventually this link will go to the online form.

Title: Re: Trade area
Post by scotspark on Feb 4^th, 2006, 1:27pm

yeah thats what i was saying i preferred your idea to marks original suggestion :)

Title: Re: Trade area
Post by bstyle on Feb 4^th, 2006, 1:34pm

Why have the trade areas seperated from the non trade anyway??

I think that if it's privacy that you want then have a couple of Pub type areas.

Sometimes the new posts on here are slow coming even taking into account the trade areas. I can only imagine that the DIY areas are even slower.

Title: Re: Trade area
Post by Lectrician on Feb 4^th, 2006, 1:34pm

Would also be a good idea to ammend the email sent with the password when a new member registers. We could remind them that a Trade Area exists.

Title: Re: Trade area
Post by billythekid on Feb 4^th, 2006, 8:57pm

is there a way to show the boards, all trade categories but not have them clickable, just a bunch of pictures. so the you do not have access thing would never display but all categories could be seen.

Even a photoshopped pic of the trade boards as we see them in place of your "Click Here To Apply For Trade Access" might solve the problem of putting people off.

The message "Click Here To Apply For Trade Access" could still be shown.

btk