I think they can do that if they want by just signing out and then replying to a topic. The only place I can see this not working in is the restricted areas. I know I was logged out once while I replying. I could have posted the reply but chose to copy it and resign in to post my reply.
Don't we have the guest option for that? People can put whatever name they want and reply to a topic of their interest without having to associate their real names or usernames with the topic at hand.
We do have the Guest option known as "Joe Public". I was recently checking the Member List and was surprised to see that Joe public has over 3,000+ Posts. That means there is a lot more participation from people just passing through than a lot of the actual Members here. Plus, that's just the ones that actually make it into our Forum, because a lot of them are so 'tutti fruity' that I cannot even publish it for them.
It may be some members are posting as joe public already so that they feel they will not be attacked for speaking up. I know that in here we do not attack each other without being called out so it may be just a fear some have. I think having this option is a good option and does promote some discussion.
That is just it... I do not allow Joe Public to attack anyone either. I should also clarify. Members CAN attack points in a Discussion, what they cannot do is attack the person. For instance if KNtoran likes the Chargers football team I can say all the reasons he should not in a Reply, but what I cannot do is say KNtoran is [insert negative words here] because he like the Chargers.
That is my point. Personnel attacks are not allowed in here but some people are so used to other forums they have a fear of posting something they may feel can leave them open for attack. The ability to post as joe public allows for them to post as a unknown person and thus they feel better about being able to say what they wanted and not worry about being attacked.
I think as people see that we do not allow personnel attacks here on this forum they may open up more and actually post more under their sign on. I guess getting them to see some of this will just take some some time.
I understand what you are saying. In my experience Members who use the facility actually do so by mistake because they put the same Username in the name field and of course their IPs match. Others I doubt are members because the writing styles are unlike what I have seen from Members, a lot of it is really bad grammar or net talk like a kid wrote it, most is just deleted. I have to say though, our visitors are huge! We get around 4,000 a day here! I guess they love us as a resource but like you said afraid to actually participate. No mind though,I rather someone just looks on than keep Posting rubbish which the Mods or I have to correct.