"I don't think people should have to join just to ask questions, but it does also help if they check whether the questions have been asked before by using the Digitrad forum and discussion search facility."

I recall when I was a guest how afraid I was to jump into conversations {"Conversations" is how I like to think of the threads}.

When I was a guest, I didn't have a clue what the Digitrad forum and discussion search facility} were. Furthermore, I didn't know how to use those features.

I don't think that guests should lurk until they figure out how to use the DT or the search feature. Also, the search feature still has real glitches in it so if you put in a key word or phrase, it's not certain that you will find the thread you're looking for-and the message you get when you click on that line is still not the right message.

All this to say, that I would prefer that Mudcat continues to allow guests-using a consistent name-to post in the music/folk culture section and the BS section.

Yes, there are problems with trolls, but I think Mudcat will lose more than we gain if we disallow guest posting.

I also don't think that it's any big deal if guests ask questions that have previously been asked. Those questions and the subsequent comments have the potential of yielding new insights and additional information.

To guest Sandra and other guests, I join with others in inviting you to join Mudcat.

Best wishes,

Azizi