Believe it or not Tom I do get why people don't use their real names. I've actually witnessed someone on the last forum expressing how he was looking forward to meeting me at a forum meeting in a very sinister way, I note he never mentioned he would be with 4 of his friends (I spotted in another thread) - had I been able to get to the forum meeting he'd have had a pleasant surprise waiting for him if he was up to no good (not only from me, but I'm a local lad with a lot of handy friends on tap).
There are so many oddballs online that some people don't want to be stalked by them.

What I have noticed though is that the genuine people get in touch via pm to those they want to and share all the relevant information. I have met so many of the anonymous names that way, including stopping in to visit one in Holland having never met in person before, I've made so many face to face friends on the forum - Sticky, Amsterdam, Steddy Eddy, Helmand TT..... the list goes on.

Full regristration to the forum owner, payment (for his time and effort), signing a contract or user agreement, and making the forum visible to users only would solve most of Malcolm's problems. Anyone serious would do this. Would I give up £10 or whatever Pounds to talk bikes and TT to the likes of you? Too right, not a lot else interests me.
But I don't want the lunatics / bike thieves etc stalking me particularly.