Hi again zengargoyle,

Your words about organizational inertia are well-worth considering. But before I get to that, let me reiterate the point I have been making all along: I didn't get into this debate because I feel it is imperative to protect AnonyMonk. The problem I have with your argument is that you never state the possibility that the removal the ability to be anonymous may damage the quality of the site.

As for institutional inertia, I see your point. Nonetheless, the arguments against telnet are convincing, quantifiable, and easily demonstrable. Those against anonymous posting do not have that level of rigour. In fact, good luck ever reaching the standard you've set yourself with that analogy.

Most internet sites are overwhelmed with noise. Consider EE or newsgroups for examples. There are two ways to deal with that problem. One is to keep out the noise, the other is to keep in the signal. The proposals you are making are directed at the former without regard to possible impacts on the latter: that's the logical weakness I've been trying to point out.