-=> echicken wrote to Gamgee <=-

 ec>   Re: Re: File down loads total on webv4
 ec>   By: Gamgee to Nightfox on Tue Sep 10 2024 19:31:00

 Ga> Personally I'd have to disagree with that policy.  I don't even offer a
 Ga> web interface, but web/telnet would be the same for me - as in : If you
 Ga> want a file from my BBS, create a user account and get it.  Otherwise...

 ec> Why though? Are you concerned about your upload bandwidth? Are you
 ec> validating users manually to make sure they're not FBI agents? Do you
 ec> think you're gaining repeat visitors by forcing sign-ups?

Great questions, and my answer is "no" to all of those.  I hadn't 
thought about that enough, seemingly; especially the last question.

 ec> I'm sure there are valid reasons why you might want to restrict certain
 ec> downloads to members, but it doesn't make sense as a blanket policy.
 ec> For the most part it seems like PTSD from the modem days or the early
 ec> broadband age.

Your reply actually made me stop and think this through more than I had.  
I think you're correct - it does seem like a carry-over from modem days.  

 ec> Maybe I'm posting on some other forum on the web and I want to share a
 ec> direct download link to a file on my system, and I want it to be a
 ec> convenient download for someone who doesn't want/need an account on my
 ec> board. I don't care who downloads it or how many times.

Absolutely, although in my case, with no web interface, that particular 
example (a direct download link) wouldn't really apply.  Now I am 
re-evaluating that choice...  haha.  Probably won't change that though.

 ec> It also doesn't need to be a system-wide thing. Guests can download
 ec> from some areas but not others. It really depends on the files and who
 ec> the sysop wants to share them with.

Great point, and likely something I will modify on my system.

Thanks for making me think harder about this, appreciate your insights.



... Honk if you love BBSing!
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