I understand why some members don't show their online status.
As well as allowing you to browse unseen (apart from by admin etc), it means you can stay logged in permanently. You can stay logged in permanently with your online status shown also. But it seems pointless having your name along the bottom if you're not actually online.
But call me old fashioned... I like to see members' names along the bottom. It just adds something to forum's sense of community And also, if you hide your online status, you are interfering with my use of this facility:
http://jeremybamberforum.co.uk/index.php?action=whoDon't get me wrong, there should always be some people who hide their online status. Lurkers who are researching the case or the odd copper etc.