"I likely wouldn't object if there was a charge for membership. I can understand when people have no cash to spare but need the info. However, membership is free. Takes a few minutes, and Bob's yer uncle."

Peace,
I think I can understand your frustration with people who hide behind anonymity to waste the time of helpful, caring individuals, such as yourself. You are right to set out the terms under which you will respond to requests for help.

There are other reasons that people post as guests, though.

Some of us are here to learn and to benefit from the wisdom of others. Occasionally, if I believe that I have something to offer, I post to a topic. Because I don't have the great depth of knowledge that many Mudcat members display, I haven't felt that I deserve membership in the Cat. Nevertheless, on several occasions, I have considered registering here. Each time, when I open the registration page, the request to provide my name and address is the stumbling block. I don't do that anywhere on the Internet, including at sites on which I am an administrator. You, Peace, are one of the few, anywhere online, who know who I am. I could give a false name and address, (wouldn't be the first time), but if I did that here, what would be the point of registering? Those in charge here should be able to tell by my IP number that I am always the same poster.

Those who have access to the logs for this site likely can determine if the nasty "guest" messages are being posted by registered members. They can also tell if there is a repeat troll, or trolls, harassing people on this site. I don't know on which programme this site runs. Depending on the limits of the programme being used, they may, or may not, be able to do anything with that knowledge.

From my experience, determined trouble makers are not deterred by a registration requirement, they just register early and register often then they switch to a different username each time one is banned or deleted because of abuse of privileges.

While I appreciate your need to limit your involvement with Guest posters, I hope that I, and other well intentioned Guests at this site, will not be blocked, or ignored by other Mudcat members, because a few people abuse the Guest privilege.

God bless and hugs,
rags