OK, folks, I’ve got the membership software installed, and it’s been over a week since it’s caused any trouble with the site. There’s only one more weighty program to install, and I want to make sure the membership software is working properly before I do so, so I’m going to start transitioning to membership first.
In the meanwhile, I’ve shut off new registration and added some code so that registered users can comment without moderation. If you’re one of the roughly 900 people who have an account on the site (mostly created a long time ago when the old forum was in operation, so you may not remember it), you can log on through the admin link at the bottom of the page and your comments will go through without moderation.
However, unless you want to become a bona-fide member, this will not last. Soon, I’m going to ask people whether they want to sign on as members to retain the privilege (and gain some others). Those who don’t want to be members will still be able to comment, but their comments will be automatically moderated, and they won’t have access to the comment ratings, which will be turned back on for members only when the full switch to a membership site has been made.
If all goes smoothly, members will also have automatic access to a private forum, exclusive content, comment rating privileges and private comments. I think it will be fun to be able to kick back and let our guard down a bit. Not to say the private content will be entirely secure and inaccessible to anyone else (there are always minders with these kinds of things, which means that illegal content and crazy talk will not be allowed), but at least it will be protected by copyright and users by a confidentiality/privacy agreement, so those who are snooping will have some legal motivation to keep it to themselves. As for user information, that’s all going to be thoroughly encrypted with very long keys, and none will be turned over to anyone without a bona-fide court order/subpoena.
For now, users who still have an account on the site can login and post away without having to wait for comment approval (although comments that violate the policy will still be removed if I find them), and when I flip the switch on the membership I’ll give you the choice of becoming members and keeping their old accounts or letting them lapse. As for those who do not currently have accounts, you’ll be able to get them as soon as membership opens up should you so choose. For those who are not interested in becoming members, nothing will change, so no worries.
