Wouldn't a simple solution for a lot of the server problems be to not allow guests to browse the forum? I mean in a lot of threads it's a lot more guests than there are registered users. In the Grammy's thread there were like 400 guests compared to 300 + registered users. It becomes a burden to actual users when the server is slowed down or actually crashes. Make the bitches register or else **** 'em. I'm sure many of the guests are banned users anyway... or Rihanna.

I don't know if this has already been brought up.

Guests should only be allowed Music News and Celebria.
The rest of the site is ours, ugly-ass guests **** off

In behalf of the members that get constantly banned, I say yes

Are you one of them Deeds?

I like this idea a lot! But I feel like the site would also lose a lot of potential registrations.

Couldn't they make it to where banned users have access to their accounts, but limited activity. Like they could be able to sign in and browse, but not posts or anything else.

Make PYP, SYG and NHB closed to guests

I think the idea of closing off some sections (Lounge, Base) has some merit. However, ATRL gets a lot of good traffic through Music News and such.

Those guests displayed are most of times bots. When I share my personal countdown link the number of guests turn ridiculous and, yes, most of them are not real people. Not possible at all.

+10000000.

Most of us became members cuz' of lurking as guests when we came across the site and liked it after being here for sometime checking it out.

Closing any section other than the blog for guests will hurt the site.

Especially that one! That's what I came in here to say.

I don't really post in there just in case a guest happens to be someone I know or know of in real life.

It's not necessary. The new server can handle the traffic. It's the attacks that are/were crippling it.

If Guests can't read around first they probably won't sign up. Better they see the board first before they hit the "Back" button and find another Music forum.

Yes, because they can decide whether they want to be a member or not. Plus, some people prefer to stay lurkers without being a member.

Browsing here helped me get prepared for when I was finally approved.