There are a number of ways that the forum log-in could be changed, if that is the technological fix Max wishes to pursue. There seems to be an assumption that making the log-in member only is the only solution. It isn't. It is entirely possible to eliminate log-ins with emails and passwords altogether, and allow anyone who wishes to post, to post. Nor does no user name/PW log-in necessarily mean the other membership options would have to be scrapped.

I think this entire "fuckhead guest" issue is the result of a bad choice by Max to deal with the hacker who stole what was it--one Mudcat regular's name? And look at the problems it has caused. A case of the cure being much worse than the disease.

Put an end to the member/guest log-in however you want Max, bit please do it soon. This hatred/paranoia of guests has poisoned the forum, and made it a troll and flame paradise for members and guests alike. If there are no more guests to hate, then all you'll have left to deal with are the member flamers and trolls. And I pray you finally do deal with them with an even hand, and get this forum cleaned up once and for all. In addition to the log-in change, I'd also like to see that no more "engaging the trolls by flaming them for our amusement" gets tolerated here either.

Of course this place isn't a democracy. But if users don't see Max as playing fair, even the changes in the log-in won't stop the slide into internet discussion forum graveyard this place seems to inexorably be on of late.

I'm fine with BS remaining if we can get filters that work most the time. I'm fine with log-in being changed. What I'm not so sure about is whether you plan to deal with the problem members. If that doesn't happen after the change of log-in, I think you may be opening up an even bigger can of worms than has burst forth here in the last couple of years since the member/guest log-in was instituted. Making the log-in change without dealing with problem members, it seems to me, will only make the problems worse.