Yes if you wan them public again, it's going to be one click at a time.

I'm sure I've asked this before but couldn't find the thread. Seems a bit odd. Is there another way to stop non-logged in users from seeing the collection.

It would seem a pain to make a members collection public if more than a few posts. I suppose an sql command could do it, but why is this option not available?

Tell me a scenario where you wrote 100 posts for private eyes and suddenly decide to make them all public.

No it's the reverse. I made a public collection and want to make it members only for a few years due to possible legal issues that will be resolved one way or the other in four years whence it can be public again. It's also an ongoing blog - an ongoing detailed account of building a cabin.

Anyway I've done it now and will have to deal with it one way or the other when the time comes, so no big problem now/yet :)