I would say let there be an introduction thread. But club it with the rules and regulation thread so that all the rules will be clear. I agree with aadrika on this.
I was a silent member for more than a year on this forum. All who have noticed my joining date will know that. I felt alone when i initially logged in and went through the GD . Then slowly I made inroads and forrays.
SO let the introduction be there. Silent members will take their time and join the active circle at their comfortable time. I felt nice to introduce myself in the thread when I first came in. It in some remote way gets the right start feel to the entire process. When I went back again and saw the comments from senior members I felt a warm feeling. It in a way made me feel like taking an active interest. SO let the thread be present. No changes to the rest.π As it is this is a great forumπ