It is not a good idea to require registration in order to download the game. To post on the forum, maybe, but the download itself should be accessible without jumping through hoops. This will annoy people who have been following the production of TSL but are not members of the forum.
Also, despite your request for people not to redistribute TSL, human nature means that people will disregard that and redistribute it anyway, especially since it's free. By requiring registration, you will drive people away from the official site and towards the unofficial mirrors.
Moving this to Fan Feedback... as this is not a technical support issue.
I think POS wants to keep track of the number of downloads they have, that way they have more concrete data to get investors interested or what have you. They've been working on this game for 8 years and will continue to work on it for at least a few more months. All they ask in return is a minute of your time to register, and to respect their wishes and not host it elsewhere. Really, it's the least we can offer them in return. :)
It is a technical support issue because it is a flaw in your website that will discourage part of your fanbase from downloading TSL from this site. Downloads can be counted without requiring registration.
Quote from: jhonka3 on July 10, 2010, 03:03:36 PM
It is a technical support issue because it is a flaw in your website that will discourage part of your fanbase from downloading TSL from this site. Downloads can be counted without requiring registration.
I disagree. If people want to download the game, they will register. It's as simple as that. If this were a technical support issue, the issue would be closed as there is your resolution.
Instead of thinking of it as an annoyance, maybe we should think of it as a warm welcome to the wonderful community we have here at the POS forums.
We aren't bad people. Maybe a bit strange at times but very supportive.
I have lurked on the forum occasionally for many years and I agree that this is a fine community. But the casual downloaders won't care. You are limiting your download base here, and you are disregarding the law of unintended consequences. :)
Quote from: jhonka3 on July 10, 2010, 03:15:51 PM
I have lurked on the forum occasionally for many years and I agree that this is a fine community. But the casual downloaders won't care. You are limiting your download base here, and you are disregarding the law of unintended consequences. :)
Your basically complaining about a registration process that takes literally 2-3 minutes. I fail to see the problem here. Registration is also free. So there is absolutely ZERO reason for not registering to download The Silver Lining. I would agree with you if we were charging a fee to register... but we are not.
Hi jhonka--
We understand your points and respect your opinion, but we are going to be keeping the registration requirement.
As I don't want this thread to spiral into a lengthy argument of opinions, I'm going to lock this now.