fredandmiranda registration: archaic ?

I just tried to sign up at fred and miranda but I got punked!
They only allow you to sign up with non 'free' email addresses, to avoid spam. haha An old strategy if memory serves.
They already have a visual word identification thingy going; does this email address policy help more than it hurts?
As an experienced, literate, computer user I'm a little surprised, annoyed and dumbfounded.
I probably have about 8 email addresses but we never use them, I don't think we've set up even 1. I havn't used a non free email address since the first time I switched my dial up isp way back when I was surfing with a 486.
I know I should just call my isp, set up an email address, route it through my gmail and be done with it. I guess I'm more than just a little annoyed.
I also noticed that they have a field for an ICQ number. hahaha how old is that? I say if you want to add chat client info list all the major ones not just an old one from 10 years ago.
This is even more annoying than the doom9.org forums forcing you to wait 5 days after registration before posting! But who knows perhaps Fred and Miranda make you wait 2 weeks before you can post....
Not so sorry that I'm ranting but does anyone else find this anti spam strategy a bit old and annoying? Do most people use webmail these days?