Dave, are you still blocked? It's a trivial task, but please PM either myself or Leigh if you need this.
Scott, the "member" status that you can see automatically kicks in at 30 posts, but the joining of the members group isn't automated. We've thought about doing that, and while it would save us a little work, it gives us a chance to manage who does, and who doesn't, have access.
That's one way that we can deal with those whom we might feel are "spamming" the forum in order to try to gain access: everyone needs personal review.
This also permits us to grant early access too,
btw, where somebody, for instance, doesn't post too much, but does come to the minimeets or other gatherings. FWIW, I view such attendances as being roughly equivalent to about 10 posts here.