I think in every Internet message board there's an inherent requirement to "make yourself known"...that can come through replying to other people's posts, participating in the Games threads, etc. It can also come - probably has to come - from longevity...the longer you're on a board, and the more consistently you post on it, the more people get to know you.

Such rules make sense in a regular Internet community, but I take your point about them being problematic here. A one or two-time poster might jump onto this board at the precise moment when they're in need...it really makes a lot of sense when you think about it. Hmm...something to think about.