Opening up the forum

toast

Given this is going fairly ok, I'm considering opening up the forum.
However, since you're all on it currently, you should be the ones to tell me how you'd like that to happen.

Here's a few possible options:

We have a pinned Hidden (= only logged-in users can see it) thread where people can request invite codes. I then DM an X-use code.
No invites required, maybe admin approval required (I'm not sure how this works, we've been invite-only from the start).
We have a pinned Hidden thread where I post the monthly invite code. It has limited uses (let's say 5), but anyone can use them.
People judged responsible are given unlimited use codes that include a tag to mark people as invited by that person. Only a few people get them, but they are permanent, and anyone can eventually get one of their own.
If you have other ideas, let me know!

P.S. I will also make a sticky discussion that explains how flarum works etc.
Useful to remind yourself and for newbies.

「 Fristi 」

toast option 1 does seem like a good one. I'd at least not allow people to register freely, otherwise you're gonna have bad people around in no time.

SolidSanek

I really don't like option 3, I'm okay with option 4, but I prefer option 1. It just makes sense to me, considering how I believe you want this forum to be, that invite codes are given away in a case-by-case basis, since, unlike 2, you'll at least be able to know that the new users have been recommended by an existing one.

2 would basically mean opening it to the public literally, like Fristi said

Hélène

Ideally I'd write a plugin to allow users to get a specific amount of invite codes... 😇

jeder

Yeah I also think option 1 makes most sense

lucihaj

I would go with options 1 or 2. The healthiest community I have been in was invite-only, we all knew each other and trusted each other, and the admin gave us some time to voice any concerns publicly or privately before inviting anyone in. 2 would work only under the condition that an admin does warn in advance before approving.

I don't really like option 4 because it could encourage blaming someone for someone else's bad behavior, and you can't always predict how someone you invite in will behave once they join. I've been betrayed by enough people to know that for sure.

toast

Okay, based on all of the above, we're going to go with option 1.
I'll make a pinned hidden topic where anyone can request an invite (including multiple uses).
They should say who the invite is for (for all uses), and anyone can voice concerns.
If everything looks good after a day or so, I will send over an invite code.