So you don't like the invite system but don't want to get rid of it, either? It's not like we can do it halfway — it's either invites or no invites.
First Idea, just for the sake of the discussion:
Read-only memberships,
with an upgrade option, who requires an invite to allow posting.
Gives people a trial option and creators more reassurance when there follower count grows. You could also spin it further, as a monotizing option: Invite or 1$ for write upgrade. Yes, has is disadvantages too.
It's perhaps a viable solution, but for what problem I'm not sure. If someone is willing to sign up for a read-only membership, why wouldn't they just request an invite and get a full membership?
Don't underestimate lurkers. Subreddits I moderate all have atleast 100 lurkers for 1 poster. Most people are just in for the content. A read-only membership would allow them to filter the content to their needs. Which is big enough reason to create an account with 3 clicks and providing username and password, but not enough reason to state an mail, gender or even ask and wait for allowance.
Quality posts requires effort, why should one invest time in it, when there is only a limited amount of reputation to gain?
I definitely respect lurkers, and clearly they would appreciate being able to follow and filter. But, they can do so by requesting an invite and making an account. If they don't want to do that, this community doesn't lose anything — lurkers don't contribute.
Quality posts requires effort, why should one invest time in it, when there is only a limited amount of reputation to gain?
This is a separate concern you're bringing up, right? We do it for the fun of gaining levels and reputation, but mostly because it benefits the community. I don't think much of fake internet points, personally.
First Idea, just for the sake of the discussion:
Gives people a trial option and creators more reassurance when there follower count grows. You could also spin it further, as a monotizing option: Invite or 1$ for write upgrade. Yes, has is disadvantages too.
It's perhaps a viable solution, but for what problem I'm not sure. If someone is willing to sign up for a read-only membership, why wouldn't they just request an invite and get a full membership?
Don't underestimate lurkers. Subreddits I moderate all have atleast 100 lurkers for 1 poster. Most people are just in for the content. A read-only membership would allow them to filter the content to their needs. Which is big enough reason to create an account with 3 clicks and providing username and password, but not enough reason to state an mail, gender or even ask and wait for allowance.
Quality posts requires effort, why should one invest time in it, when there is only a limited amount of reputation to gain?
I definitely respect lurkers, and clearly they would appreciate being able to follow and filter. But, they can do so by requesting an invite and making an account. If they don't want to do that, this community doesn't lose anything — lurkers don't contribute.
This is a separate concern you're bringing up, right? We do it for the fun of gaining levels and reputation, but mostly because it benefits the community. I don't think much of fake internet points, personally.