But that could be the point! Put up a short, obvious list. Then add all the people that other posters yell at you for missing. Then you’ll have a fairly comprehensive list.
You first! 
Another established poster has to let you in the club, but we have not determined what an established poster is, but you need to be be recommended by an established poster before you can become established . . . classic catch22:D
We haven’t even nailed down what “established” means, forget finding the established posters!
I recognize your name.
Look, this is IMHO. You asked for people’s opinions. If you really want to know the answer to the question you posed, you should be prepared for people who disagree with you (or with other poster’s opinions).
Well, you should have said that, then.
I’m not making fun of anyone, just disagreeing with the idea that the use of “Hi Opal” indicates that someone is an established poster (and using the phrase by itself doesn’t indicate that someone isn’t an established poster, it’s just atypical). And neither jimbuff nor IvoryTowerDenizen suggested that, they just discussed the phrase.
Y’know, you were the one who said in the OP that it might not be possible to define what makes an established poster. I’m basically agreeing with what you yourself said at the start of the thread.
Since I’ve stated my opinion, I’ll bow out. But with all due respect, you can’t really open a thread here and expect to get only positive responses. I can guarantee that you’ll be disappointed almost every time.
Touche’! Maybe that task wouldn’t hurt people’s feelings as much as putting their name on a list (or leaving it off) might.
I had the thought, Anaamika, of anybody who answered your anonymous poll How old are you? (Voters: 826) or the one of mine where identity was not hidden: In which 5-year period were you born? (Voters: 539) being “established” in at least that one way.
Maybe anybody who didn’t post in the Lurkers thread(s) would count?
The only disappointment I can recall in recent memory regarding the Straight dope is when you started posting in this thread. But, to leave things on a positive note, I would like to thank you for kindly bowing out.
**Nylock **is taking that “You’re not established until you’ve been pitted” idea pretty seriously.
Or is it more like starting a fight with the biggest guy on your first day in prison?
Paraphrasing: Being “established” is not necessarily a good thing.
Well, if I were a newb I’d be doing a happy dance now that both a (relatively) new poster and a mod used a post of mine to each make a point. But I’m not so I won’t.
I’m here, so I’m established. If I recognize your name, you’re established. It doesn’t matter how long you’re here, we’ll all established. “Established” vs “non-established” is an arbitrary designation that only serves to divide people. It’s like “us” vs “them”.
I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts
In all seriousness, I myself would wish the thread to be closed on this point - a fit and proper ending to the whole discussion IMHO.
I like the coconuts comment myself. Those two comments together epitomize the Dope.
I can accept that the lid is not on tight and that the issue is far from resolved, but if we’re to stop the discussion I’d like to refer to The Board’s Front Page where (a moment ago) this appeared:
Somewhere between “member” and “active member” probably lies that elusive “established member” and his/her counterparts.
Their names and contributions may never be known, even if we try real hard! 
Well crap. My strategy of getting myself established by walking up and punching one of the old members right in the nuts has been co-opted by Mr Nylock.
Guess I’ll just have to sit quietly over here on the Group W bench.
You know, if all y’all would just take a moment to read the establishment clause, I’m sure it’s all covered there.
I know what Hi, Opal stands for. What I can’t remember is who was the poster who actually started it. I believe there is one person who gets “credit” for starting it, but I can’t remember who it is. I only scanned that thread, but the post you linked to doesn’t address that.
[Ren] I-I-I-I-I-I get the credit! [/Ren]
Problem solved. 