Registration is free so I don't see what the problem is. Secondly if someone can not even fill a 2 min form (which you believe is analogous to a restriction) then how can you expect more information and knowledge to be imparted here? How will someone who does not even gives 2 mins of his to a forum he/she is leeching information and knowledge from give back to the community? Registration fulfills the exact purpose you listed and gives it an entirely new dimension. When more people register, they tend to participate more. sharing ideas, generating more traffic and sharing more knowledge.

Let me add here, and it is very important, that forums which rely on guests to generate traffic eventually die as there is little to none new activity (thread and posts) . The net is filled with such examples and if needed I can also share them here.

Anyways, I am done here. If you feel it isn't a good idea, feel free to close this thread