impact of username/login in forum (Was RE: [thelist] finding ip addresses)

[Alliax]

my current client is using web bbs for their existing web forum software
(http://awsd.com/scripts/webbbs/) but are getting sufficient traffic for
this system to be *very* slow (all files saved as text and written into html
on the fly). i was looking at moving them over to phorum (www.phorum.org) as
it seems to be faster and easier to configure to fit the rest of the site
design (plus it utilises php/mysql as per the rest of the restructuring).

anyway, i'd like to think that including registration/login functionality
wouldn't impact on the use of the forum, but i've an idea that it will.

does anyone have any experience with moving from a very open bbs to
something that is significantly more structured? what were the implications?
suggestions???

--
I have experience in the opposite, from a login scheme to an open bbs,
participation has increased, no abuse so far (2 months) and despite the
login/registration being optional a few people have created a login/profile
for displaying information about them.

Since I use Phorum 3.3.1a I can assure you you don't have to force the login
in order for user to post, this is up to you the administrator to
close/semiclose/open particular forums.

Cheers

Cordialement,

__ Alliax         ~CV : http://LingoParadise.com/cv.php
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