The 'Unknown' posting feature was implemented for the purpose of enabling anyone to post without having to give away their identity and without requiring their being logged in or even entering a name. However, even though this feature was widely used, it suffered from the fact that you could not differentiate between 'Unknown's. For example, you could be involved on a thread with many people posting as Unknown and would get confused precisely because you couldn't differentiate between the various Unknowns. Well now, this issue has been addressed by assigning 'Unknown's a number (i.e., 'Unknown #4537' instead of just 'Unknown') which will enable you to differentiate between the different Unknowns. Unknown's still retain their anonymity; however, now they can be distinguished between one another.

Also, for those who want to know, the number assigned to an Unknown is derived from their IP address (though you cannot infer anyone's IP address from this number). Thus, if you change IP addresses, you change the number assigned to you when posting as an Unknown.

Also, to make clear, anyone not signed in can make an Unknown post by simply posting a message without including a name.

Btw, you can still post as just 'Unknown' without any number, but to do so you must enter in 'Unknown' for your name (while not logged in). But if you're going to expend the effort for entering a name, it defeats one of the purposes for making an 'Unknown' posting.

Note: I have disabled the automated numbering of Unknowns for esthetic reasons. Now, when posting without being logged in and without filling out a name, the name 'Unknown' will be assigned to your post without any sort of number following it (i.e., Unknown #2321).

Too machine/matrix like?

exactly.

Maybe change the word 'unknown' and all that it implies.

Potential alternatives: private, chicken, secret, not signed in, etc.

Not very good examples, but I'm sure their must be an adequate alternative to the present option.

Get rid of the whole unknown possibilty and create a less secretive lurking in the shadows kind of atmosphere. Let all who chose to post be revealed, tagged and monitored.