As for
Participation in CC is based on having an interest in at least some of the other activities that go on here.
I do not think posting is a good indicator of that and it is difficult to gauge just how good it is. I agree that perhaps it is the only indicator available, but I do not believe that we should force an imperfect indicator upon everyone who uses CC.
I personally will prefer one very good trip report from a first-timer (who usually provides an interesting perspective), to someone who posts one-liner responses that repeat what has already been said in the same thread--something that is perhaps very tempting to do.