Public and Private forums

[Admin]

Most of the forums are public on here, which means if you post something anyone can read it, which means customers, other florists, relay companies and also gets listed on all the search engines.

We do have the private section that needs new members to register to view and this section is also hidden from the search engines.

Now the question is, is everyone happy with how it is at the moment? do you understand that your post can be seen by anyone if posted in the public section of the forum?

Would you like more categories for the private section?

Should we tighten up the registration like other forums have done?

Or should we move some sections of the forum into the private area?

We also have a private section for real florists, that either work in a shop or own one, would you like to be added to this section? PM me with your shop details if you want access to this area.

[Mardy]

I found Floristnews because I used search engine when I was looking for information. Surely that's how many have become members. Posts have to be available to be read by Joe Public, they find them interesting.....then they become members.

I can understand that many florists would not want certain information exposed.....pricing, mark up, tricks of the trade etc., and I think these should not be generally available.....but then does this limit the knowledge that many who are learning would find useful.

It's always been my understanding of the internet that NOTHING is unavailable to someone hell bent on finding it.

Bottom line is: if you really want to keep a secret, don't put it on the internet.

[tree]

I can understand that many florists would not want certain information exposed.....pricing, mark up, tricks of the trade etc., and I think these should not be generally available.....but then does this limit the knowledge that many who are learning would find useful.


I agree with what Mardy says above - there is so much I've learnt / am learning on here that I wouldn't otherwise if it was all in the private section for shop owners which I don't have access to.

Out of interest can you list which sections don't get picked up by the search engines - e.g. Rich Club?

[Admin]

This section http://www.floristnews.co.uk/private-forums/ plus the clubs dont get seen by the search engines.

[frizzytwig]

I think you should let people have a limited amount of posts to look at and then they have to register and they should also have to put their connection to floristry, I don't believe that all the 1000 or so members on here have any connection to floristry whatsoever, they could be brides gleaning loads of info to do the flowers themselves etc. I know it's no guarentee as everyone can lie but perhaps these people won't bother registering if they think it's a hassle.

[pinklily]

Originally Posted by frizzytwig

I think you should let people have a limited amount of posts to look at and then they have to register and they should also have to put their connection to floristry, I don't believe that all the 1000 or so members on here have any connection to floristry whatsoever, they could be brides gleaning loads of info to do the flowers themselves etc. I know it's no guarentee as everyone can lie but perhaps these people won't bother registering if they think it's a hassle.

how we are connected to floristry would be a good idea dunno how you could prove what is said tho.
i found the site quite by accident looking for latin names for materials

[Captain Janeway]

I just didn't understand the question Admin!! Went completely over my head.

[Mardy]

Originally Posted by Captain Janeway

I just didn't understand the question Admin!! Went completely over my head.

Ask Spock.....

[Funky Monkey]

[tulips]

how about just letting them (people who have not registered) have access to say design or student area and homeworkers but then florist shop and letting off steam you have to register for(just so customers cant hear us moan). i dont mean so that just florist shop owners have access but only someone serious would register and then you dont mind them accessing as they may have something good to contribute. I also think people would contribute more if a location had to be added. I am wary sometimes of giving advice because of this.