Rdodd,
Look down to the menu bar when you're reading a reply. There is a "PM" button, which is for a private message. It's like sending an email, without having to have your email posted here. That way spammers have one less source of getting addresses. Once you send or receive a PM, you could switch to email. You can choose to either get an email noticfication that you have a PM waiting for you, or not. I think the default is to get the notification.
Scott,
All I was saying is that it must be a popular part, since so many organizations use it..... didn't buy that? OK, what I meant was, of course that depends on what the meaning of was, was.