So okay. You folks might not be sysops, but you’re certainly not just regular end users either. Or at least you have a master’s degree in computer science and can do some comparisons and finally figure out what package you were using (as end user), eventually ending up here. Like me.
From there, it’s not difficult to stumble across this forum. For example, the comments of the blog post take you here. So I did nothing more than read the welcome message and the information provided in it. I don’t think you need to be more than a regular end user for that.
By the way, this tutorial also told me some basics about how to format my posts and even included a link to a markdown tutorial. I didn’t know markdown, HTML, and BBCode before.
is the single remaining connection that users use to finally figure out they are using Discourse!
I.e., no matter how hard the Discourse authors try to not reveal to the ultimate end user what software package they are actually using, it seems users are still able via this link to figure it out!
(But of course that is if they paid attention to the welcome message, or looked for it in their mailbox years later when they were curious about what they were using.)
It’s not just a single connection; it’s one way to figure it out. For example, the trust level promotion messages also contain links to Discourse blog posts like Discourse New User Tips and Tricks. (And now there is also an option to show “powered by Discourse” at the bottom of every page).
But I think it is also totally legit to remove all those traces to Discourse as an admin when you customize your site. There is no need for the user to know which software you use. They can report problems they have with the software to staff, and they can decide to report it here or change something just for their forum. Usually, it’s even better when users report their problems there because as a user, you are not aware of the customizations of the forum you use. Maybe the problem is related to the theme or a plugin and not Discourse itself. Maybe the problem is special for that community, so a setting, which already exists, has to be adjusted, like for example, character limits.
This is where it is up to the forum provider to include a section on the forum for how-tos.
As messages/system posts and even Discobot name can be altered. If a forum provider takes the time. They can indeed cloak the identity to a large degree from visitors/members.
A lot comes down to people who setup the forum and what lengths they go; to configure/customize the layout/ui
This is left as a choice by the forum team. I believe the Discourse Team shares some of the ideas of Linux. Many use Linux everyday and don’t know it.
below and 
bookmark this personal message. If you do, there may be a 
in your future!