Why would viewing be "limited as would be expected"?
Surely to generate more activity from possible new members you should allow anyone to at least browse the forum. They say first impressions are the most important. So if a newbie was just looking for help and info rather than to join up, at least to start with, they'd be turned away cos you have to be registered or a fully paid up member. Ok, it's not hard to register and doesn't cost alot to join, and the discounts pay for themselves, but to alienate newbies by forcing them to register, otherwise they're access is restricted from the off is abit strange!? Or is that just me?