Quote - I'm uncomfortable with the idea that people who don't post images should be treated differently.

Just looking at it on a practical basis, I can't see why using the Favourites feature would be an indicator of potential theft. If I wanted to steal something, why wouldn't I just save it at the time?

How about if members had the function to say whether they allowed favouriting on a case-by-case basis?
Like when you upload:
Allow viewers to make comments on this image? (Crit, Non-Crit, Both)
Allow viewers to rate this image? Y/N
Allow viewers to add this image to their favourites? Y/N

 

if your a harvester you would do as you say ....and then put that artist on your fave lists to save time in harvesting later on , you just click on your fave lists artists and see whats new.

and case on case would be better depending on what the default status would be. would it be uploadable or unloadable to fave lists.

how would anyone be treated differently if the artist chose when they joined?  it can't be the having to post or be active before you can download cos again that would be the same for everyone wou'ldn't it.?

billy