I can see why restricting access helps to get some of those existing lurkers who have already read but not posted on the site. Unfortunately it will stop new people from being able to get a feel for the place and whether they want to join, so I am in two minds about this.

Anyway, the reason for posting was actually to say that the new format, and a large number of active new members, means that there have been 1060 posts in the last month compared to 11,000 in 5 years.

That's a pretty big step change in activity levels. Nice to see the place so active again after it had gone a bit quiet in the late sumer.