I came in after the change, so can't really comment. Except that I'm familiar with the V-Bulletin format from other forums. I think it's six of one, half a dozen of another, frankly.

Let me ask this. Were there proportionately more people posting in the old format? My guess would be no. But only the Admin knows for sure.

As to the join-to-view. I'm at best semi-literate with these things. But I know at yahoogroups you can set things up so that potential members can view only the last X posts. A teaser, as it were. Maybe you could do the same here.

But that, I believe, isn't the main problem. We have a solid membership base, in terms of numbers. The question is, why aren't they participating?

Matt,

Is it possible for you to send an email survey to the members? Set up up in the form of a poll, to find out why they aren't participating; what they'd like to see added to the forum; what they'd like to see dropped.

Maybe that, at least, would provide a clue?

I can send an email survey out. I've never done that so will need to learn a couple things. Would someone want to volunteer to receive a test email so I don't do something dumber then normal the first time?

Matt

Sure, send it to me.

There is one issue when blocking content to unregistered users and that is the hit you take in the search engine. I do not remember the particular recipe, but I found this site via a search engine. Had that data not been there, would I be here now?

I do not think it is a good idea to withhold content.

You could do other things, like making registration required before they could use the Vbulletin search form, or to view attachments/pictures.