Agree with the others? sentiment. IMO, allowing folks to lurk before registering helps to create a more simpatico group. Unquestionably, many folks here ? myself included ? lurked before registering. And as was mentioned, mandatory registration does little to control trolls ? they?re most effectively dealt with by forum participants and moderators.

Even academia supports lurking. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> One of several studies, published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior: "The Top Five Reasons for Lurking: Improving Community Experiences for Everyone."