Download Restrictions for Guests

In the last placemark that I placed in the Google Earth Community Layer, I made a commitment to post materials here that would flesh out the project I described. I just finished the first and the most important part of a post. For the first time since April 3, I feel sufficiently at ease to put my feet up and catch my breath. Now that I have a moment, I think it is time to collect the various thoughts I have had about the function of this site, and write a list of changes and modifications that would make it a more rewarding experience for me to use. Before I do, however, there is one feature of this system that is so important to me as to be a deal breaker.

I didn't know about the Keyhole Community, before it was acquired by Google, and even if I had, I wouldn't have been able to afford a subscription. I've read enough of the posts from those days to think it must have been cordial and exciting site. As nearly as I can tell, most of the moderators of the old Google Earth Community were members of Keyhole Community, and it is they who have continued to carry the torch into the new GEC as administrators. I think they have done a wonderful job of creating this new site. I am amazed and delighted about what a pleasure it is to use. The one thing that I do not like, and I find this totally unacceptable, is that guests to the site are not permitted to download attached files.

I logon to this site several times a day. After a brief check to see if I have any messages or notices, I make a bee line to the bottom, where I scroll through the recent posts. I usually notice who else is logged on. Almost always, the number of guests is larger (often more than twice as large) as the total of members and staff. And I think to myself, how many of these guests will come back for a second look, and will want to become members? And how many of them will be like PIT, who said:

I moseyed on over to check out the new digs. On the surface it looked OK. But as soon as I tried to download an attachment it occurred to me that this ain't the place for me. I have no disillusions about returning to the old keyhole BBS way of life, however I have a hard time rationalizing why an online "community" would alienate 90% + of the general population who would like to share in the GEC experience, yet who for whatever reason would be hesitant or unwilling to immediately register an account to do so. I can understand GEC wishing to increase its membership, but If only members can view attachments, I can guarantee that this plan will backfire and decrease general interest in the forums. Yes - forums. As an exclusive club, I have to correct the acronym to GEF, as the new platform does not resemble a true community. Perhaps if that issue is addressed I would consider the statement I made earlier about there being a chance of joining in.

If the old Keyhole bunch wants to create a forum, they have a right to establish whatever rules they wish. But speaking for myself, I do not want to devote my energies to a site where I can't invite my friends who do not wish to become members. I hope the owners of this site will consider removing the download restrictions for non-members. Will someone in a position to speak for them, please respond with a projection of what we may expect in the future.

I think most of us agree with you washi, but unfortunately there's not much we can do about it, the restriction comes from ProBoards, not from us.  We are told on the ProBoards support forum that this has been marked as a feature request for future consideration, in the meantime they suggest adding a DropBox (or similar) link to posts.

Edit: I see you have in fact added a DropBox link to your signature.

Thank you, Noisette.

Somehow I failed to understand that. I certainly hope ProBoards can understand that a major objective of this group is interacting with and creating for the Google Earth browser, and as such there is a fundamental difference between what we do, and say, an interest group in flying drones, or raising turnips. Very few of us, I think, would have begun posting content if we had not first seen something that someone else had created, and ProBoards' interests as well as our own are best served, I think, by allowing guests to download.

Are there any other restrictions imposed by ProBoards that dictate policies most of us would prefer not to deal with?

washi

Not that I'm aware of, but that doesn't mean we won't find something at some point in the future.

The ProBoards TOS are here.

Hi, washi. As Noisette mentions, proboards don't allow it at this time "security" ?? I'm exploring a migration at this time and am in discussions with proboards, this will incure a fee for us. So, be aware we are looking into it, we are young, and don't have the bank of Google but will do our best for everyone
Thanks
Steve TL

Thanks, TL.

I'm much relieved to learn that something is in the works to lift the download restrictions for non-members. I don't know how long that might take, but as patience is a virtue that old men can ill afford, I'll probably go ahead and insert alternate download links for my favorite files.

Interestingly enough, my best example of a non-member, my friend who refuses to join anything on or off line, usually reads most of my stuff before I post it. I frequently send him links, but it's mostly to stuff that other members have posted that I think might interest him.

Anyway, thank you for all the work you and others are doing to make this site possible.

w