Forums are meant to be a place to share info, your not sharing info if your lurking about! I dont think the 20 post criteria is bad and they have a good reason for implementing it - i does mean people like me spam the forums to get 20 posts (not spam posts but posting alot to bump up - speedposting?), and even if you dont want to wait for the 20 posts (unfortunately im a tight git) you can pay for platium membership which is £8 (i think that was the price off the top of my head).