Some members post as "GUEST, [member's name here]" when they're using a computer onto which, for whatever reason, they cannot load the Mudcat cookie (or aren't allowed to or do not wish to).

As The Villan says, one advantage of membership is the ability to send and receive PM's. Another is that you get your own Personal Page. You can trace threads you like and bookmark other websites using the Personal Page, which also lists messages received and sent. As a member, you may access the "Member Photos and Info" Quick Link. You can participate in Mudcat Auctions as well.

You engender good will in the Forum's "community" by becoming a member, too. Over the years, Mudcat has endured too many attacks by anonymous GUESTs, in the form of abusive posts and various attempts to sabotage the site digitally, and members who have seen that happen are understandably gun-shy about conversing in too much depth with anyone whose name begins with "GUEST". When one registers for membership, one fills in some required fields with personal info, and thereby a bond of trust is formed between the new member and the Mudcat Cafe: the member trusts that Mudcat will keep his info confidential as promised, and Mudcat trusts that the member intends to use his membership privileges responsibly since he can be contacted off-site if he does not. It's a way of shaking hands with people you meet up with -- you may know that hand-shaking originated as a means of showing that neither party was holding a weapon -- to say that you are indeed a friend.

To answer your question about Mudcat member names, mine is a bit of a pun on my real name and The Knack's song "My Sharona".

Sharon A.