Instead of buying an account, why not just wait another week or so to see if SR gets their new servers and allows new members to sign up?   

If SR permanently blocks new members it won't take long for the community to dwindle to nothing.  Sellers won't be too happy with the idea that their customer base cannot grow.

And yes, I know the "negative" publicity doesn't help, but there never was anyway to avoid it.   There is no way to prevent LE from snooping around if they really want to.

Ahhhh  server load probs.  That makes sense.   Cool, I'll wait it out I guess.  I don't mind donating to sites for this reason, but I can't give money until I actually get to use the site

Nesetalis, thanks for the info!

I understand all that.  But if I do decide to buy an account, I'm sure the people with the extra accounts would still want to take my money.  When it comes down to it, I doubt they would give a crap what I said about selling them.   It just makes no sense for Silk Road to not allow new accounts if people are just selling them.  If the wrong people want to get access to the site, they still can but now have to pay a small fee.

Ultimately, like I said, if the site and the process is as secure as it is supposed to be, why stop people from creating new accounts?  What is the threat?

I'm pretty new to all this so maybe my idea as to why new accounts can't be created is totally off.   I PM'd the Silk Road OP (rep?) to see whats up.

On a side note, I never understood why people go out of their way to post a comment bashing someone else's comment and not contribute anything to further the purpose of the actual thread... Do you really not have anything better to do than to antagonize someone you don't know and never will?

OK - from the comments I've read I gather Silk Road is closed for new members...  Nice, that is great.   I realize that the attention it is getting from the media, etc isn't helpful, but what the hell did they think was going to happen?   If you tell a secret to 2 people, chances are 1 of them will spread the word.  Nothing is secret on the internet.   Also, if it is all really so anonymous, then what is the problem with letting new users sign up?

Maybe the reason new accounts aren't available has to do with something else entirely, I would just like to get in on this.  I got Tor all set up and researched how this all works and now I can't even get in.  If anyone can help me out, I would appreciate it.  I know some people are selling accounts, but it seems like a dick thing to turn around and sell them now - if Silk Road doesn't want new members then someone buying an existing account is still a "new" member and that would defeat the entire reason for blocking new members.

Iceman, I am in the same boat you are.  If you figure it out, please let me know as I need to figure out how/where to register.   I'm all set with my Tor connection.

thx

-WN