Re: Help to decide if BP is suitable for large group of bloggers
Joining a site running Buddypress can be as simple or as convoluted as you want to make it for potential members. There are quite a few plugins that can be implemented for captchas; authentification via other networks like Facebook, Google, etc; profile synchronization with other networks; custom login pages and much more. An example of the basic BP account creation process can be found on one of my sites here: http://buddylite.com/register/
The only thing I’ve added to the default registration process on BuddyLite is a simple math captcha called Buddypress Humanity: https://buddypress.org/community/groups/buddypress-humanity/
You can see a working example of one front-end post solution called TDO-Mini-Forms on the same site here: http://buddylite.com/buddybuilder-style-submission/ and the end results here: http://buddylite.com/category/custom-buddybuilder-styles/
You’ll need to login as a test user to see the form though… user = buzzer / pass = hellobirdie
On another site I’m currently working on, you can see an example of another front-end post form called Quick Post Widget: https://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/quick-post-widget/
See it here: http://kwitterz.com/share-your-thoughts-with-all-kwitterz/
Again, you’ll need to login… user = pjohn / pass = gollysarge
Hope this helps to get you started! 
