Usernames - generated?

[AJQZC]

I've just went through the Memberlist, and actually found a list of usernames beginning with a number and ending with strange letters.
What's very strange about most of them is that these usernames are mostly, if not all registered around mid-2008. None posted any posts.
This leaves me thinking if these usernames are actually being generated by some sort of machine? Of course we do not want that, that will create a whole long list of useless usernames.
Does anyone know anything about such usernames? Please do reply.

[tyteen4a03]

I've just went through the Memberlist, and actually found a list of usernames beginning with a number and ending with strange letters.
What's very strange about most of them is that these usernames are mostly, if not all registered around mid-2008. None posted any posts.
This leaves me thinking if these usernames are actually being generated by some sort of machine? Of course we do not want that, that will create a whole long list of useless usernames.
Does anyone know anything about such usernames? Please do reply.

Possibly generated by spambots.

[Blink]

I suggest a account deleter for accounts that have been inactive for a long time, but wait- that might seem like a bad idea, because what if someone's on vacation?

(Forgive my run on sentence.)

[tyteen4a03]

because what if someone's on vacation?

The point, and lots of people only watch the forum for mainly historical reasons.

[Blink]

That, and you have to be registered to view images in posts?

[AJQZC]

That, and you have to be registered to view images in posts?

Yes - visitors (for those not logged in) are unable to view any attachments - including images.

[Blink]

A little late for a response (!), but why is it so?

[Midnight Synergy]

There's something about this waaay back in the forum's history. Originally it was intended to boost "enrolment" in the forums so that people would then be more likely to participate in discussion.