by Richard Oelmann.
If you can't set default values on existing profile fields, can you replace the ones you need by using similar custom fields? Is it essential for your purposes to use the built in fields? I know that you can set default values in the custom user profile fields (or you can in some types anyway, specifically I have used the drop down list and set values there)
Alternatively, is it practical to adjust the database itself so that the field in the database is given a default value so if none is set on the front end the database puts the default value in place when a new user is added? - May need some input there from someone more familiar with making changes to the database and the potential side effects in other areas, such as upgrading.
Richard