<<Real, or even delayed-time quotes, are of interest to traders, but not investors.>>
I strongly disagree. There are a number of companies that I keep an eye on that I am not invested in. But just because I am not currently invested in them does not mean that their price is irrelevant to me or anyone else. Even stocks that I am invested in (by your definition) may present additional buying opportunities for a variety of reasons. Having quotes appear on a page is a matter of convenience. IMO, it has little to nothing to do with whether one is an investor or a trader.
On the other hand, we agree (I think) that a day or short term trader must have real time quotes -- at least if they want to remain a trader for very long. An investor, as a matter of convenience, is happy with delayed quotes, or even just daily open, close, high and low (the newspaper type info).
You are right that it is not difficult to simply go to some other site and get the information. It is especially easy on AOL. But, that is the point -- one should not need to leave the site for very basic information related to the subject. Other sites offer the service, in part, to attract people. Some of the attracted folks, upon finding the other service, will remain there and not come back to the place they had to leave to get the basic information.
Just because you are a shoe store does not mean you cannot offer laces as well. In my view, basic stock price data is as essential as the laces in a shoe: the shoe is useable and wearable without them, but it is sure a lot more comfortable with them.
<<But having quotes on board is really catering to the kind of members Matt and Bob are saying they want to morph away from.>>
I'll let them speak for themselves, but I did not understand or perceive their views on it in quite the same way or as broadly as I think you have.
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