# Probationary periods **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 13, 2002, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probationary-periods/113920 "2002-06-13T20:19:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probationary-periods/113920/1 "2002-06-13T20:19:35Z")
I visited a BB the other day that used probationary periods for its new members and was wondering if it would be good idea over here. Say you used a period of 30 days or maybe posts. During that time new members can post in existing threads but cannot start a thread of their own. After the post count/time period has passed they either get full posting rights or get booted off. What do you think? Is it possible with the board software? Is it even a good idea? I’m of the mind that it may help trap a few socks/trolls/jerks/drooling morons before they cause too much hassle. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probationary-periods/113920/2 "2002-06-13T21:45:38Z")
There is no automated process for it, so we have to do it manually: keep track of new registrations, change their privileges after X amount of days/posts. And the socks/trolls/jerks/drooling morons could just register names and wait 30 days before being a PITA. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probationary-periods/113920/3 "2002-06-13T21:50:07Z")
also one major draw on this site is the GQ forum, and I suspect that it’s not rare that some one registers \*\*just so \*\* they can post a GQ . which often is a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probationary-periods/113920/4 "2002-06-13T22:02:10Z")
Yeah, if I’d had to wait 30 days after registration to post my GQ, I would not currently be a member. ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probationary-periods/113920/5 "2002-06-13T22:02:26Z")
And that applies to the Comments forums, too. I know I’ve seen several people say that they first joined the board through the “Comment on this column” link on a column they found either through the front page or a web search engine. ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probationary-periods/113920/6 "2002-06-13T22:16:16Z")
:smack: Okay, I didn’t think it through, it just struck me as a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probationary-periods/113920/7 "2002-06-13T22:29:07Z")
Hey, no problem, we (generally) **like** hearing new ideas. I’ve got a doozy by the way - what if we _sliced_ the bread before we sold it!!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probationary-periods/113920/8 "2002-06-25T15:00:38Z")
Bear in mind, too, that a lot of people just plain lurk for a long time before posting anything, including people who are going to cause trouble - often they’re just waiting for an opportune time. In a perfect world, new members would read the FAQ and not ask silly (to us) questions, but I’ll take this imperfect board any day. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probationary-periods/113920/9 "2002-06-25T16:33:40Z")
> [@](#): > > wait 30 days before being a PITA [Homer] _30 days_!?!? But I’m angry _now_! [/Homer] ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probationary-periods/113920/10 "2002-06-26T15:14:31Z")
**wring** : > [@](#): > > I’ve got a doozy by the way - what if we _sliced_ the bread before we sold it!!! 😃 Sliced bread? That’s crazy talk!