[asocialEvolution]

I think a really good idea for creating new users would be to allow them to comment on a story before they make an account using just a name and an email address.

On the comment confirmation page, another input field can request a password and an invitation to join the community. I think it would be an easy way to boost membership.

It would also be awesome if users could search for one another by cell number. it's kinda hard to get users to give this information over, but it makes finding friends in your community easier if you can find them by phone number. it's more attached than an email and a better ID. I think it's a feasable piece of information to collect as long as your privacy policy states you will never call them and no one else will ever see the numbers.