Bungie.net Community
This topic has moved here: Poll [21 votes]: Does your group have open or closed membership?
  • Poll [21 votes]: Does your group have open or closed membership?
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 2
  • of 2
Subject: Does your membership require approval?
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Do you have what it takes to become a ninja? Join Ninja Academy
Prepared to learn the way of the jedi? Join
KOTOR

Poll: Does your group have open or closed membership?  [closed]
Yes:  38%
(8 Votes)
No:  43%
(9 Votes)
I don't know what you are talking about.:  5%
(1 Votes)
I don't run a group.:  14%
(3 Votes)
Total Votes: 21

I was just wondering if most groups had closed or open membership? Closed membership requires admin approval for new members. Why did you choose to open or close your group's membership?

Just vote yes for closed and no for open.


[Edited on 07.16.2007 9:47 AM PDT]

  • 07.16.2007 9:46 AM PDT

Closed. Mainly for the safety of the B.net community. If we were to open membership, a lot of kids would be crying in front of their computers.

  • 07.16.2007 9:55 AM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Destinypedia - The Wiki for Bungie's Destiny
Posted by: DEATHPIMP72
Anyone but Foman. He smells like cheese.

Depends on the group's purpose. But to tell you the truth, I am not a big fan of closed groups unless there is a very good reason for it -- such as the Guide's Staff Home, where we edit articles and pass around advice and questions before posting the final product. Membership there is closed so that staff members do not feel embarrassed to post their unedited articles and so that the only thing that the "public" sees is the finished, polished product.

Simply closing membership because you want to be elitist or because you think it's cool is immature, in my opinion. Reminds me of middle school popularity contests.

[Edited on 07.16.2007 9:59 AM PDT]

  • 07.16.2007 9:59 AM PDT

Posted by: x Foman123 x

Simply closing membership because you want to be elitist or because you think it's cool is immature, in my opinion. Reminds me of middle school popularity contests.


I don't see closed memberships as elitism. I can't speak for other closed groups, but for us it's imperative that we have control over who get's in. Why? Because we're a very tight knit group that talks very openly & candidly about anything and everything, taboo or not. The subject matter of most of our threads would cause the normal person's eyes to burn.

We know we're not for everyone, and that's cool. But to open membership would ruin the close camaraderie and harmony of our group. Too many strangers would make people uncomfortable about offending someone they don't know, therefore stunting people's creativity and openness.

In fact, I think open membership can ruin good groups. Too many times new people drive away the regulars who made the group what it was.

  • 07.16.2007 10:17 AM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Destinypedia - The Wiki for Bungie's Destiny
Posted by: DEATHPIMP72
Anyone but Foman. He smells like cheese.

Posted by: atomic weggie
I don't see closed memberships as elitism.

Weggie, thanks for the long response, but I don't think you read my post very carefully. I said that "simply closing membership because you want to be elitist or because you think it's cool is immature, in my opinion." I never said that all closed groups are elitist. That is clearly not true, and I never implied that it was. But I do think that if a group is going to be closed, it should be closed for a specific purpose or reason.

If you want to have a forum where you can talk about taboo topics with your friends, a group is a good place to do it. I am a member of the Black Chapter which encourages such discussion. But I hardly think that being a member of a closed group is a requirement before people will give their honest opinions. The Black Chapter is raw, living proof.

As a side note, if people have such horrifying things to say that they feel uncomfortable writing them where people they don't know can see them, then perhaps they shouldn't be saying them in a semi-private group on a gaming website where nobody really knows anybody except maybe for a handful of other people -- even more, perhaps they should keep in mind that the Bungie web admins are free to float into and read the content of any group on Bungie.net.

Moreover, I hardly think that open membership stifles creativity -- especially when the group is set up the right way and creativity is encouraged. I can point you to a multitude of extremely creative and vibrant groups, all with open membership.

[Edited on 07.16.2007 10:49 AM PDT]

  • 07.16.2007 10:46 AM PDT
  •  | 
  • Exalted Mythic Member
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

The End

‘The conscious is cancerous if allowed to linger’

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."

I had open membership until this guy decided he would spam us. He keeps making alts and it is really p***ing me off!!!!!!!!!!! If there weren't jerks on bungie my group would be open :-(

  • 07.16.2007 11:18 AM PDT

Posted by: x Foman123 x
Posted by: atomic weggie
I don't see closed memberships as elitism.

Weggie, thanks for the long response, but I don't think you read my post very carefully. I said that "simply closing membership because you want to be elitist or because you think it's cool is immature, in my opinion." I never said that all closed groups are elitist. That is clearly not true, and I never implied that it was. But I do think that if a group is going to be closed, it should be closed for a specific purpose or reason.


I don't know any group that has closed membership just to be elitist. Any group with a closed membership has to have substance and reasoning as to why they're closed. If not, the group's not going to last long.


As a side note, if people have such horrifying things to say that they feel uncomfortable writing them where people they don't know can see them, then perhaps they shouldn't be saying them in a semi-private group on a gaming website where nobody really knows anybody except maybe for a handful of other people -- even more, perhaps they should keep in mind that the Bungie web admins are free to float into and read the content of any group on Bungie.net.

Moreover, I hardly think that open membership stifles creativity -- especially when the group is set up the right way and creativity is encouraged. I can point you to a multitude of extremely creative and vibrant groups, all with open membership.


Horrifying has nothing to do with it. Conversations of adult nature, religion, politics and other mature themed threads. Closed membership means we know that 10 year olds are not joining, seeing and discussing things that are not appropriate. Being able to pick and choose who joins means everybody is of a certain age and mindset that lends itself to being in a comfortable environment.

People have radical opinions and views on many different topics. I know for a fact that some people wouldn't be so forthcoming with these opinions if there were young kids or strangers reading their posts. You can't tell me Foman that you don't speak more candidly around your family and friends than you do strangers. I see nothing wrong with fostering this same mindset within a forum group.

  • 07.16.2007 11:24 AM PDT

Strange evolution how people have come to believe
That we are it's greatest achievement
We're barely, we're just a collection of cells
Overrating themselves

Posted by: x Foman123 x
If you want to have a forum where you can talk about taboo topics with your friends, a group is a good place to do it. I am a member of the Black Chapter which encourages such discussion. But I hardly think that being a member of a closed group is a requirement before people will give their honest opinions. The Black Chapter is raw, living proof.

True, but even the Black Chapter has membership requirements. They require that you've been a member for 3 or 4 months. This helps reduce the number of random spammers that would otherwise flock to such groups.

As a side note, if people have such horrifying things to say that they feel uncomfortable writing them where people they don't know can see them, then perhaps they shouldn't be saying them in a semi-private group on a gaming website where nobody really knows anybody except maybe for a handful of other people -- even more, perhaps they should keep in mind that the Bungie web admins are free to float into and read the content of any group on Bungie.net.
Its nothing illegal, so Bungie would bear no legal responsibility. We are quite aware that the admins can go where they please. Achronos used to be one of our more frequent "Guest Posters". No, not in a good way.

Moreover, I hardly think that open membership stifles creativity -- especially when the group is set up the right way and creativity is encouraged. I can point you to a multitude of extremely creative and vibrant groups, all with open membership.
Im pretty sure Weggie was saying that our only rule is that we have no rules. While Body Politic and the Black Chapter provide a place to discuss topics that cant be discussed in the normal forums, there is still a sense of establishment. For example, I cant go into the Black Chapter and tell Shai to F-- Off if I dont agree with him or if he says something absurd. There is a difference between discussing taboo subjects and saying what you want to say.

What we are talking about is a group of people who have a sense of trust among its members. For the most part, everyone in the group has some sort of admin privelages. To be perfectly honest, a quick look at most of the public forums here tells me that my sense of distrust with many parts of the community is justified.

By the way, Im not trying to be confrontational, just trying to more accurately detail the reasons behind making a group private.

  • 07.16.2007 11:33 AM PDT

Go Chiefs

Posted by: twinkiemaker
For example, I cant go into the Black Chapter and tell Shai to F-- Off if I dont agree with him or if he says something absurd.

You can't? I guess I owe someone an apology.

I don't think it really matters if a group is open or closed. Groups like the Black Chapter thrive on participation and therefore new members are needed to assure the debates don't go completely stale. On the flip side, if you have a well maintained, cohesive group and you may not want to risk upsetting the balance.

Different strokes for different folks.

  • 07.16.2007 12:07 PM PDT

Sandswept Studios Design Director

Visit us and check out our games at Sandswept.net!

~~Pardon Our Dust.~~

"Does your group have open or closed membership?"

Yes.

... >_>

  • 07.16.2007 12:08 PM PDT

.||./

My gamertag is SHADOWRIDERJP.

No u will stay closed for the good of all Bungie kind.

  • 07.16.2007 12:28 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Destinypedia - The Wiki for Bungie's Destiny
Posted by: DEATHPIMP72
Anyone but Foman. He smells like cheese.

Posted by: atomic weggie
Posted by: x Foman123 x
Posted by: atomic weggie
I don't see closed memberships as elitism.

Weggie, thanks for the long response, but I don't think you read my post very carefully. I said that "simply closing membership because you want to be elitist or because you think it's cool is immature, in my opinion." I never said that all closed groups are elitist. That is clearly not true, and I never implied that it was. But I do think that if a group is going to be closed, it should be closed for a specific purpose or reason.


I don't know any group that has closed membership just to be elitist. Any group with a closed membership has to have substance and reasoning as to why they're closed. If not, the group's not going to last long.


As a side note, if people have such horrifying things to say that they feel uncomfortable writing them where people they don't know can see them, then perhaps they shouldn't be saying them in a semi-private group on a gaming website where nobody really knows anybody except maybe for a handful of other people -- even more, perhaps they should keep in mind that the Bungie web admins are free to float into and read the content of any group on Bungie.net.

Moreover, I hardly think that open membership stifles creativity -- especially when the group is set up the right way and creativity is encouraged. I can point you to a multitude of extremely creative and vibrant groups, all with open membership.


Horrifying has nothing to do with it. Conversations of adult nature, religion, politics and other mature themed threads. Closed membership means we know that 10 year olds are not joining, seeing and discussing things that are not appropriate. Being able to pick and choose who joins means everybody is of a certain age and mindset that lends itself to being in a comfortable environment.

People have radical opinions and views on many different topics. I know for a fact that some people wouldn't be so forthcoming with these opinions if there were young kids or strangers reading their posts. You can't tell me Foman that you don't speak more candidly around your family and friends than you do strangers. I see nothing wrong with fostering this same mindset within a forum group.


I think that you guys are severely misunderstanding what I said. I was never trying to attack the Trolls or anyone else. I was just saying that I pretty much get everything I want in a forum out of groups with open membership. You have specific reasons for closing your group -- that's fine, and I'm really nobody to pass judgment on the reasons and decide whether they are good or bad reasons.

I must disagree with you that there are no groups that are closed simply for elitism or popularity. No need to go into the reasons, but I have seen such groups and I don't like the concept.

My position, clearly and concisely stated, is simply this:
A group should generally have open membership unless there's an articulated reason to close it that makes it necessary for the group's purpose. Closing a group to be elitist or because you think it's cool to have an "exclusive" group is silly and turns things into no more than a juvenile popularity contest.

  • 07.16.2007 12:31 PM PDT

Posted by: x Foman123 x

I think that you guys are severely misunderstanding what I said. I was never trying to attack the Trolls or anyone else. I was just saying that I pretty much get everything I want in a forum out of groups with open membership. You have specific reasons for closing your group -- that's fine, and I'm really nobody to pass judgment on the reasons and decide whether they are good or bad reasons.


I didn't think you were attacking us, so no offense taken. I'm not a member of very many groups, but the groups I am a member of serve specific purposes, mainly to interact with certain people or talk about things that I don't get to talk about out on the public forums. Most open groups that aren't about a specific topic, genre, show, hobby, etc. look just like every other forum here on B.net or elsewhere, just a bunch of random people. Exclusivity is what generates a quality of uniqueness.

What makes forum groups special are the members. If you let anyone in the group, then it becomes just a microcosm of the regular B.net forums. If that's the case, then what's the point of having a private group?

  • 07.16.2007 1:10 PM PDT

Strange evolution how people have come to believe
That we are it's greatest achievement
We're barely, we're just a collection of cells
Overrating themselves

Posted by: atomic weggie
Posted by: x Foman123 x

I think that you guys are severely misunderstanding what I said. I was never trying to attack the Trolls or anyone else. I was just saying that I pretty much get everything I want in a forum out of groups with open membership. You have specific reasons for closing your group -- that's fine, and I'm really nobody to pass judgment on the reasons and decide whether they are good or bad reasons.


I didn't think you were attacking us, so no offense taken. I'm not a member of very many groups, but the groups I am a member of serve specific purposes.....

Same goes for me, no offense taken, although I am offended by some of the "specific purposes" that created some of Atomic's groups.

Seriously, who would ever think of that kind of use for a foosball table?

  • 07.16.2007 1:32 PM PDT

Posted by: twinkiemaker

Same goes for me, no offense taken, although I am offended by some of the "specific purposes" that created some of Atomic's groups.

Seriously, who would ever think of that kind of use for a foosball table?


If naked Crisco foosball skydiving is wrong, I don't wanna be right.

  • 07.16.2007 1:41 PM PDT

Official Town Drunk of Sandwichia. Nation of the Flood.
MBT - Impossible Just Happened
* How is it that "Fat Chance" and "Slim Chance" mean the same thing?
* If you choke a Smurf, what color will it turn?

XBOX User Space profile

It doesn't matter to my group. It's so inactive that if the active-o-meter was still round it would read negative numbers on it.

  • 07.16.2007 3:06 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Do you have what it takes to become a ninja? Join Ninja Academy
Prepared to learn the way of the jedi? Join
KOTOR

I have kept my group closed as a preventative measure against spam. However, it has nothing to do with elitism. Everyone who doesn't spam or conquer is welcome.

  • 07.16.2007 4:16 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Join KOTOR!

I intend to live forever, or die trying.

Nope.

  • 07.16.2007 4:28 PM PDT

July 15, 2008... The day the timer stood still.

Depends on what the group is for. If it's a group about a specefic activity (I made a group called Floodhounds for a Chromehounds group) and that's closed off. However, if I want to make a group for my videos, then that'll be wide open.

[Edited on 07.16.2007 5:13 PM PDT]

  • 07.16.2007 5:13 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: natedogr
I was just wondering if most groups had closed or open membership? Closed membership requires admin approval for new members. Why did you choose to open or close your group's membership?

Just vote yes for closed and no for open.
When a group is created it starts out with a closed membership. Usually founders that want to build up their group by member count will open their group membership in order to save time from having to accept each member. Some things they also do is advertise in The Classifieds and send private messages to individual users inviting them to join their group.

Founders usually keep their group membership closed when the group is dedicated for only a certain amount of people or a specific clan, group, or other reason to keep it isolated from the majority of the Bungie.net population. An example would be the HFCS group, which is restricted to join only allowing moderators and administrators to discuss private topics. Another reason users keep their group membership closed is to avoid people randomly joining to spam or flame the forum.

[Edited on 07.16.2007 9:28 PM PDT]

  • 07.16.2007 9:27 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Destinypedia - The Wiki for Bungie's Destiny
Posted by: DEATHPIMP72
Anyone but Foman. He smells like cheese.

Posted by: CrypticGuardian
Posted by: natedogr
I was just wondering if most groups had closed or open membership? Closed membership requires admin approval for new members. Why did you choose to open or close your group's membership?

Just vote yes for closed and no for open.
When a group is created it starts out with a closed membership. Usually founders that want to build up their group by member count will open their group membership in order to save time from having to accept each member. Some things they also do is advertise in The Classifieds and send private messages to individual users inviting them to join their group.

Founders usually keep their group membership closed when the group is dedicated for only a certain amount of people or a specific clan, group, or other reason to keep it isolated from the majority of the Bungie.net population. An example would be the HFCS group, which is restricted to join only allowing moderators and administrators to discuss private topics. Another reason users keep their group membership closed is to avoid people randomly joining to spam or flame the forum.

No offense Guardian, but what is the point of this reply? You just gave a bunch of completely obvious information (founders who want to allow anybody to join their group keep it open, while some founders keep their group membership closed in order to restrict the membership from the b.net general population) that is partially wrong (no, groups do not automatically start out with closed membership -- a founder has the option to either open or close membership when creating the group) and partially off-topic (ways that founders advertise their group) and that does not respond to the original questions at all (are most groups open or closed? and why did you choose to open or close your group's membership?).

Posted by: atomic weggie
What makes forum groups special are the members. If you let anyone in the group, then it becomes just a microcosm of the regular B.net forums. If that's the case, then what's the point of having a private group?

I disagree partially with this, weggie. A group with a focused purpose that is distinct from those of the public forums is most certainly not a microcosm of those forums. Also, I don't think that a group's members are the only thing that makes a group special.

Groups can be distinguished or made special either by their members or their purpose. A group with open membership and clear, focused purpose (CompoundIntelligence, The Guide, The Black Chapter, KOTOR, and many others) allows a large number of people to participate in b.net activities that have nothing to do with the purposes of the public forums and within which a markedly different form of discussion or information may be found. Take the Guide as an example: the Guide has completely open membership, and yet has very little discussion of random topics. People mostly drop in to read the moderator / notable community member interviews and chapter reviews, comment on them, or create them themselves. The discussion is very clean and mature and despite the open membership and the group's old age, we have never had "random spammers" join up just to spam it. The group is not special merely because of its members, but because of its unique format and relatively cool (in my opinion) purpose.

Otherwise, though, I agree. I never really saw the point of the "off-topic" groups, and I'd really like to see some Community members getting creative with groups and finding a purpose that is unique and specially suited to the group format. That would really help groups take off in a big way, I think.

[Edited on 07.17.2007 4:44 AM PDT]

  • 07.17.2007 4:28 AM PDT

I keep my membership closed, 1stly because their are certain people and their alternate accounts that i would like to keep out. 2ndly, because i need to send welcome messages to people who join. 3rdly to keep people with bad intentions out, i watch every account for a day before i let it in mostly by checking the age of the account, what groups its already in, and if it has ever posted. That way i know it is not an alt. But in the end i let most people in anyways. Call it elitism if you want, but after your group gets spammed up and you have to delete it all, you might change your mind

[Edited on 07.17.2007 5:46 AM PDT]

  • 07.17.2007 5:45 AM PDT

SB-117

I understand how private groups may look on the outside. However, it's often the case that "outsiders" aren't the reason for closed membership. It's the nature of the people on the inside that require more privacy.

I'm antisocial so I like talking with my friends about things I know we have in common. It's a lot more "comfy" talking to people who know you inside-out and vice versa. That's what a group should be about, talking with your friends and having a good time. Winding eachother up etc.

You tend to get a lot more trouble and drama in open groups, and I'm not really a fan for it. A lot of strangers won't "get" you. A lot of people have conflicting personalities etc. That's often a good thing to continue a discussion, but if you can find a balance between conflicting opinion and and trust/friendship, then you have a good group (and I wouldn't mess that up by opening it).

  • 07.17.2007 6:28 AM PDT

  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 2
  • of 2