Hi VincentHRD
It was I who thought up the entry procedure for the VOC Forum (GS, MPH Editor)
I 'joined' the forum on numerous occasions while testing the system and could always do it in under five minutes. I can't understand how you've been having difficulty, as once it's been done - that's it, you don't have to do it again. If you were really struggling with something, let me know and I'll see if I can change the process to make things easier for the future.
The point is, we had to make registration 'difficult' to a certain degree.
Any forum like this on the internet will have a similar joining procedure. The problem we have, is that if the procedure is too simple, 'spammers' can automate the process, then flood the whole site with multiple registrations and their offers of Viagra, potential 'wives' from Russia (tempting I know!) or pornographic websites - I'm sure you've all received them at one time or another.
With the 'manual' procedures we've put in place (like putting in your date of birth and typing in the set of characters that appear), if a spammer does manage to set up an account with us (highly unlikely), we're in the great position of being able to ban them instantly and remove all messages they they may have posted within a couple of minutes.
The only thing that makes our forum slightly different to others is that we have to work out who's a VOC Member and who isn't. I'm sure most Members of the VOC will appreciate the parts of the forum that are only available to fellow Club Members.
The other reason we ask for your date of birth, membership number and full MPH mailing address is because that's something only YOU will know. This will stop non-VOC Members gaining access to the Members-only section of the site. As I say, it only takes a couple of minutes of your time.
Finally, please note - we are not trying to rival jtan. I'm sure jtan will continue for many years to come.