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Are the pins sent by email via an SMS gateway? If so, why not just let people sign up with their email address?

I'd like to join in on the fun, but not with my personal phone number.

No, it's using twilio. The code is open source - as mentioned downthread. https://github.com/bigboringsystem/

It's 2014 (almost 2015), you don't need to give your personal number. Google Voice is free and seems to work but can't confirm since the last text posted was at 12:28 pm. Bonus, one can use their PC with a real display and keyboard if use their GV number.

Google Voice is not available everywhere.

Same with cell or phone service...

There is not other services like GV that provider a phone number?

I think the point is that email signup would be preferable for those who don't want to give it their personal phone number.

It wouldn't be a texting only to post site then would it? My point is there are free services where one can get a second phone number for uses like this.

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