Tedee is completely correct, we figure the amount of valuable information we have on here deserves to be recognised by visitors, the amount of people coming in getting some ideas then take off was unbearable. I see it as courtesy also for the members, after all you have all put in the effort to put posts up, reply to threads etc so why should someone just come in and take those ideas away.
In my view if the user is forced to signup they are more likely to participate in the forum activities.
I must say though the amount of signups per day have risen dramatically since we put this login before viewing topics in place.
Yesterday was our best to date with 33 signups.