Are subscriber-only links ok?

November 12, 2001 6:30 PM

Do posts to the main page that lead to a "Subscriber Login" page qualify for deletion? Also, what is the preferred form of notification?
posted by sillygit to MetaFilter-Related at 6:30 PM (6 comments total)

Sorry, I am not worthy of attempting html... the post in question is this one
posted by sillygit at 6:32 PM on November 12, 2001

it depends. the nytimes website woudld qualify as a subscriber site, yet posts of that sort do get posted here. (in fact you can use a commonly known u:p combination -- metafi:metafi -- to login). if you have to pay for the subscription, i don't think the thread should be posted -- otherwise, it's case by case.
posted by moz at 6:36 PM on November 12, 2001

I'd delete it, had I the power, but I'm kind of radical that way. A signup screen is a good way to reduce the value of a link. Unless it's really, frighteningly good, and there's no other path to whatever it is, it's probably not worth it IMO.

-Mars
posted by Mars Saxman at 6:47 PM on November 12, 2001

personally i almost always close the browser window as soon as i see the "sign up here to access..."
if a site's primary objective isn't making the information they publish accessible, then i usually dont want to hear their opinion on anything else

providing the login details for a dummy account is definately a good move...

related reading re: links to pay sites
posted by sawks at 2:33 AM on November 13, 2001

There's a major difference between sites like the New York Times, which requires registration but is free, and sites which charge for a subscription.
posted by Carol Anne at 4:42 AM on November 13, 2001

There's a major difference between sites like the New York Times, which requires registration but is free, and sites which charge for a subscription.

What could this mysterious difference be...

:)
posted by gleemax at 11:03 AM on November 13, 2001