Well, this topic implies that he did know about the forums. He might have at least came here to look, just maybe not commented.
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1291

LOL Seabass To each their own. Your other comments have been equally as negative so I will just go about my merry way and find out which username it is.

What if BP commented on here in secret? Think about it, wouldn’t you surf the internet to see if someone is talking about something you created? The internet didn’t exist in the 80’s but it didn’t in the late 90’s, maybe earlier. I don’t think he would have commented a lot but he would have given clues. It could have been before or after the Cleveland find but would have stopped at least in the summer of 2005, if not earlier.
If you were a book author or editor, looking to drum up some publicity for your book, you could do this. If he hadn’t ever thought about using the internet, all the press from the Cleveland find mentions these forums. You would think he would come looking to see if we were getting anywhere or secretly give us clues but we might have all been too focused that we didn’t notice.
You can go back and look at what people posted and when the last time they posted/visited was if you click on the hyperlink of their name.
I have a couple of usernames that I think might be it, but it’s all just theory, obviously.
What do you guys think? It’s possible.

I like the question, but my gut feeling is no. I think Preiss took a strong stand when it comes.to giving up answers to his puzzles.