On another topic--I want to change over the code to the css version this weekend. Other than the hour or so downtime, this shouldn't have much impact on the day to day experience of the site, until people want to explore what it means.

So what does it mean? It means that tables are out, and cascading style sheets are in. Not a moment too soon, either. And you can put in your own styles. I just changed my main font from Arial Narrow to Calibri (don't think I'll stick with it, though), and I don't display images or quotes. You can choose to have spoilers visible, although I wouldn't recommend making them normal black, because you're more likely to spoil the more cautious that way.

I don't think we should necessarily offer a tutorial in CSS (although if anyone's willing to step up, that would be magic), but if you do know any CSS it would be good to provide a document that shows how you can go from this to this all on your own.

I think, generally, that telling a Buffista, "No you may not argue on this topic" is a proposition doomed to lose any way you slice it. Talky meat will find a way! Even if talky meat ends up substituting the codeword "left-handed fork" to mean "politics."

I propose that from now on, the word "proliferation" be replaced in all instances with "left-handed fork."

Antiproliferationistas will hence forth be known as The Right-Handed Fork Brigade, and spoilerphobes shall be called The People Of The Spoon.

But in all seriousness, I think this:

Buffista A would be free to argue that the contents or purpose of the thread are not a good contextual fit within b.org. They simply could not argue that b.org should not add the thread because they are against adding threads on principle.

Is a truly terrible idea. I'll argue my points based on whatever principles I damn well please, thank you very much.

Also, yay css! ita, I'd say schedule it on your own time and don't worry about the rest of us. We'll survive for an hour.

What about those of us who hold our forks with the left AND don't love the prolif? Huh? YOU'RE OPPRESSING ME!!

Other than that, what Jess said, up to and including the yay css.

I think, generally, that telling a Buffista, "No you may not argue on this topic" is a proposition doomed to lose any way you slice it. Talky meat will find a way! Even if talky meat ends up substituting the codeword "left-handed fork" to mean "politics."

Yeah, this right here. No matter how I feel about any particular thread creation discussion, I am just not down with any rules telling us what not to talk about, or in any way limiting any body else's way of arguing for or against anything.

I know it sounds like a good idea, but it's really not.

I'm also not for making thread creation any harder than it already is. I imagine not everyone agrees with me, but I'm starting to think it's just about right --

Yes, most of the threads we propose pass, but as has been pointed out, the idea has likely already been through the ringer, and capable of withstanding a little more. I hate that the process is painful for anybody, but it's painful enough that the process itself acts as a sort of a gatekeeper.

Effectively, I think to a certain degree, the vetting process already exists, without a need to legislate the specifics.

And really, I have to state again that I just do not think that any further legislation of the thread creation process, or any changes to it at all need to be made. And I definitely do not think topic limitations of any kind have any place in our bureaucratic processes

I refuse to deny anybody the right to tell me to cram it.

What about those of us who hold our forks with the left AND don't love the prolif? Huh? YOU'RE OPPRESSING ME!!

Pipe down, peasant!

I'm agreeing with Sean and Jessica. I think telling people they can't talk about why they disagree is just unworkable.

I'm also with Sophia in that I remember the convo (endless!) to get the voting process in place.

The one idea that spoke to me was msbelle's about a thread creation window. Create two windows a year and make whatever threads want to be made at that time, but only during those times.

I refuse to deny anybody the right to tell me to cram it.

Hey Sean - if your going to tell me that you refuse to deny my rights then SCREW YOU!!!

But don't let me tell you to cram it.

The one idea that spoke to me was msbelle's about a thread creation window. Create two windows a year and make whatever threads want to be made at that time, but only during those times.

I like the idea, but a sick part of me wants to find a way to turn it into a quickfire challenge.

Antiproliferationistas will hence forth be known as The Right-Handed Fork Brigade, and spoilerphobes shall be called The People Of The Spoon.

And the path to enlightenment is a long and difficult one, but someday we shall achieve nirvana Spork.

Each time a new thread is proposed the argument of left handed vs. right handed forks escalates until someone's feelings get hurt. Is there any way to avoid this?