Ongoing subject, but possibly a different tack?

Given: The site has been successful generating support to some degree largely with the simple enticement of having a graphic "rank" awarded that shows in your signature block. There are obviously other motivations, but clearly "rank" has been effective.

Also given: There is a general resistence to forcing someone to provide information against their will. Most Americans would even protest an effort to make them take a daily vitamin.

Ok, how about earning the wrenches by completing certain Profile fields? Possibly the wrenches would mean a little more if you have to partially complete your Profile to get them? Until you do, you get what you merit - question marks or whatever graphic you think appropriate. ????? could be as high as you go without a Profile - unless you donate that is.

There may be a programming or other obstacle to this which I'm not aware, but I'm just trying to present solutions. Whatcha think?

Take care.