I spent quite a while trying to figure out why I could not modify my profile as directed in http://forum.avast.com/index.php?action=help;page=profile .
Finally found the right key words for Search and discovered there are a minimum number of posts required before you can do so.
I’m a regular / seasoned user on many forums and haven’t come across this before.
Maybe a sticky, editing the Help file, or geee- even a note on the registration page would save some the inconvenience.
Remember that many of us lurk, use the search engines, and post only when all other avenues have been exhausted or to help a struggling fellow member.
It’s also why we join the forum and get our profiles set up BEFORE we have a problem.
Sorry my first post is a gripe, but at least there’s a suggested remedy - and I’m on my way to being able to edit my profile ::).
and I'm on my way to being able to edit my profileWelcome to the forum Sawduster. :) Only 19 posts to go. ;D
@ Sawduster
The problem comes from drive by spammers, who having registered put objectionable or commercial links in their profile signature to try and gain link promotion, etc.
There have also been cases of the PM function being abused to spam forum members, so you will notice that you can’t use the PM function either.
Unfortunately because of the actions of others legitimate members suffer by the actions to prevent this spamming.
Welcome to the forums
Welcome to the forums, Sawduster. 
Maybe a sticky, editing the Help file, or geee- even a note on the registration page would save some the inconvenience.That's not a bad idea.
Thank you all for the welcomes.
Reasoning understood; shame though. I saw where one of categories was closed (but still on the board) for various similar reasons.
Free board, free peer support, and for many, a free program. Did a Gift Horse ride through? I imagine ‘Guest’ under my nym when I post - regardless of status.
I go for blacklisting - by IP address. Kind of a “you are not authorized to view this page” type thing. That makes the the individual have to fight it out with his ISP when the complaints start… 8)
I’m also a fan of ‘ignore poster’ lists.
I’m back to lurking, and learning.
Thanks again.
18 to go.
Bumping this topic, because it is very important, and I fully agree. Besides, I also need to bump my own post count.
The policy is because many of we users complained about the spam, advertising and pornographic posts when the policy was not.
Bump away … It may end up pushing the threshold higher if the moderators suspect that the bumps are automated.
I think the 20-posts idea is great, if it discourages inappropriate posts (porn, etc) and drive-by posters who just want to advertise! But, I agree with sawduster, that it would be nice to have maybe a notation in the profile area, or a sticky somewhere letting potential members know about needing to reach 20 posts before certain options are available for your profile. I also was searching around trying to figure out what I was missing because I couldn’t do certain things in my profile, like a sig and avatar. I did find a reply post to someone else shortly thereafter who was asking the same question.
But then, I don’t really know much about how spammers and such operate, so it could be that notating that information somewhere might defeat the purpose. I don’t know if those only up to creating problems would go to the trouble of posting 20 times to accomplish their goal or not, or move on to a forum that was easier to infiltrate!
Love this place, BTW! ;D