What I would actually want is to be able to put something like<p><pre><code> ruby -r base64 -e 'puts Base64.decode64("emhhbGJyZWNodEBnbWFpbC5jb20=")'
</code></pre>
into the email field. Doesn't take probably for length or validation reasons :) Anyone who can't figure that out, I don't think I want emailing me through HN.
There's a more subtle point not listed here: I want to control who gets my e-mail. So I'd rather stay anonymous to those who are anonymous to me, and know who has my e-mail.
I removed my email and personal information for a while due to my actions on HN. I engaged in a strange exchange on HN which got me thinking that it was an odd conversation after some research on the person in question I found that they where a convicted pedophile and had been expelled from Egypt due to links to a terrorist organization. I believe that they are still being sought in the states. Anyway, I felt that it may be prudent to remove my info for some time least I get a bunch of harassing communications due to my finding out their dirty little secret, but I felt compelled to inform others who they where dealing with.
Should probably have an option on there for people to respond that they have their email listed, if only to see what proportions of people who read this thread have email listed vs. not.
I don't have my email listed, but I have my website listed: <a href="http://inklesspen.com/" rel="nofollow">http://inklesspen.com/</a><p>It's a simple "personal portal", I guess you'd call it. My email address is the first thing listed, followed by my erratically updated programming blog, github, twitter, flickr, linkedin, and resume.<p>I'd rather keep all those links in one place and just hand out my domain link, rather than have to update things everywhere when I add a new link.
Argh, I already voted, and now I see the email field isn't public. So there's my reason. It <i>is</i> in my profile; you just can't see it. I do include other methods of contact that are more immediate, though. If someone was interested enough in contacting me, I'm easy to find.
My email is a University address, so it has my full name and the name of my institution - that's more info than I want to give out arbitrarily.<p>Maybe HN could add a contact form to user profiles, to facilitate correspondence without sacrificing anonymity?
I can't think of any reason why someone would want to contact me. It would be like trying to shake hands with someone who didn't even notice you. I'd just feel embarrassed :)