Every time someone argues against a new thread based on server resources I claim that adding a thread, unless it draws a lot more active posters, will have no measurable effect on server load.

The server isn't the only resource that may be taxed. Is it more effort for our beloved stompies to maintain added threads? (Yes, I know I am usually pro new shiny threads)

Another thread is just another bit of the database - there's very little difference between having posts in Natter compared to, say, Bitches. Unless I'm wrong.

The theory is that new threads inevitably create more posts.

childrearing thread

I decided to take the weekend to cool down about this, and it turns out I still find it pretty offensive (and would find it so even if I didn't have a child of my own). Especially following so closely on the heels of posts like this one Laga "Bureaucracy 4: Like Job. No, really, just like Job" May 10, 2008 7:37:48 pm PDT:

I do get a sense of a lot of hurt feelings and it makes me uncomfortable knowing that people feel hurt. One of the main reasons I love it here is because people are compassionate and I hate to watch that break down.

In keeping with our established policy on etiquette violations, I would like to request an apology, and preferably one that doesn't include the phrase "But I was only joking." Claiming that you love this board because of the compassion Buffistas show for one another and then posting something as deliberately rude and inflammatory as that doesn't strike me as terribly funny.

(And I'd be more than happy to take this to another thread if people don't want in Bureau - unfortunately, our "deal with it in thread before bringing it to Bureaucraxy" guidelines kind of break down when the offending post is in here!)

Thank you, Jess.

Jessica, I get that you did not find the reference humorous, but deliberately rude and inflammatory? It's clear you are offended and that's never a good thing. But I think your read on the joke, and on the poster, is way off base.

To me, posting something like that in tiny font reads loud and clear as "Ooh I hope I don't get called on this." So yeah, I consider that to be rude and inflammatory in the context of the conversation at hand. It crossed a line.

posting something like that in tiny font

Side-of-the-mouth font? You know, when someone wants to slip in a comment in conversation but knows it might rile people up, so they just sort of mutter it out of the side of their mouth?

My read was totally different. The post was immediately after my post suggesting politics and sports for threads. I thought it was a joking suggestion for a thread we would be unlikely to create. I'm sorry that you were offended, but I do not believe it was intentional at all.

Side-of-the-mouth font? You know, when someone wants to slip in a comment in conversation but knows it might rile people up, so they just sort of mutter it out of the side of their mouth?

Or when someone wants to make a small joke, but follow up with a serious question. Which is what the poster did. Unless there's some history here that I don't know (and if there is please let me know), I think there's a chasm of doubt here which this typically friendly and engaged poster has earned the benefit of.

I'm sorry Jessica, but saying that the rudeness is loud and clear doesn't make it so.

You know that I don't hesitate to call anyone on things I see as offensive, but I'm just not seeing it here. YMMV.

I'll address this to ita because she seems to be the deity of the server load matters. And as far as I'm concerned, server load trumps just about everything else. But if anyone else had access to the data, feel free.

-- How much of a strain is there on the servers right now? Maybe a better way to put it (I'm nearly illiterate when it comes to hardware questions), are we in danger of reaching maximum capacity anytime soonish?

-- Is there usually a spike in posts shortly after a new thread opens?

I suspect all threads are not created equal when it comes to increasing traffic. Not to mention that creating a thread may increase traffic, but not in the short term -- think the Firefly thread, which resulted in a big increase in traffic when it was publicized and not when it was created.