Right before posting or accessing a member only item.

Another for option number 4. In general, I won't sign up for something if I'm never going back. Like everyone else it's usually for some member-only service.I actually have a separate email account I use when registering for sites that I use infrequently to avoid cluttering up my usual inbox with confirmation emails and stuff. And I only have 2 usernames variants and 3 usual passwords, so I can usually remember which goes with which easily.

I don't usually lurk a lot before posting in forums, though. I came to GW a few days after an anime blog I read (and used for discussion) was shut down. Figured there was no point in lurking.