Readers: on the page, without the pen

Some people belong on a page without being asked to write it — a neighbour, a colleague, the friend who would rather read than add. Until now the choice was to make them a contributor, or to open the page to anyone with the link. A reader is the third size.

What a reader gets

Everything a member sees: the page, the memories — including the ones kept among its people — the days that come round, who is on the page. They can leave a tribute, ♥ a memory, bookmark one. They're counted when someone writes and the composer says who will see it.

What a reader doesn't get

The pen. A reader can't add a memory, a photo, a saying, a letter or a name; can't suggest an invitation; can't take a copy of the page or its keepsakes. Nothing on the page asks them to.

Inviting someone to read

When you invite someone, choose Read the page instead of Add memories. The invitation says so before they accept, and the welcome says what they can do. Someone who asks to join can be welcomed to read, too.

Changing your mind

Under Settings → People, each person shows what they may do: Read only turns a contributor into a reader; Let them add memories does the reverse. Nothing anyone wrote is touched — a memory stays in its author's name whatever their role becomes; their drafts stay theirs, waiting until they may add again. The person is told on their bell, without a reason.

A reader can't be named a trusted person: let them add memories first.