That's definitely an idea worth considering seeing as our most rapid expansion ever was with the immense complexity of an email digest.
Simplifies life for us greatly. There's a tradeoff to be made. PPRuNe gets run by people actually flying the line day in day out or by office cubicle bunnies.
We made the choice to minimise the eye candy, ad ons and gee gaws. We make the sign up as unpleasant as possible yet remain possible. It's a conscious and considered form of flood control. The same applies for pics and quotes. The site is an absolute magnet for those interested but not strictly associated with its title.
We plough our own furrow and leave the internet wide open for those who actually believe you need all the stuff suggested. If you are right we will need a tumbleweed icon. So far and after 14 years without pandering to the audience we haven't had to design that icon.
Rob