Texas Guest - there are a couple of good reasons which make membership worthwhile.
It doesn't cost you anything.
You don't get spammed if you do join.
Isn't that enough?

On top of that, as has been mentioned, membership allows you access to a couple of Behind The Scenes services including a chat room and a private message system to other members, very useful for sorting out stuff which doesn't belong on an open forum thread.

On the subject of Real versus Virtual names, there can be good reasons for either. Personally, I have been referred to as Geoff the Duck for more years than the Mudcat has existed. If I had signed up with what is on my birth certificate, nobody would have known it was me.
One reason NOT to use your own name is that Mudcat is an OPEN FORUM, so ANYBODY - honest or not - can read what you post. You may tell us that you are going for a weekend to a particular festival. A "real name" might allow someone to locate your address and turn up with a truck to steal your house contents whilst you are away.


Hamish - there actually IS a mudcat member whose real name is Guest. He uses a mudcat name which is not his real name.
Quack!
GtD.