I wonder (having just contributed to it myself) where this thread-stomping urge comes from all of a sudden.

I can see why we wouldn't have any more need for both NAFDA Buffy and Previously, for instance, because sadly, it'll all be previously. But it seems like a big leap to go from there to talking about eliminating anything else. And obviously people have attachments to certain sub-communities. I'm against proliferation, but does that have to mean being pro-deletion? I'm thinking not.

Wolfram, I'm going to pick you out of the lineup for a moment, but it's just as an example and not for any reasons of personal hate-ons, just so you know. IIRC I've seen you calling for the elimination of both FF threads a number of times, and pretty much from the day of the cancellation. And, well, why? To be blunt, if you don't want to see them, why not unsub and then they won't be in your message center.

And a question for ita and anyone else who can answer it: is there any technical reason (server load, whatev?) that it's better to get rid of stuff? I'd think that if something isn't being used much, it's not adding much to any sort of strain, either.

is there any technical reason (server load, whatev?) that it's better to get rid of stuff?

Yes. The smaller the number of posts in the posts table, the better. DX has wrapped up 5 of the natter threads f'rinstance, and we've lightened the table by 50,000 odd records. It is good.

Thanks, ita. Good to know. I just wanted to be sure we (by which I mean me) weren't getting caught up in a "hey, we could get rid of this!" binge needlessly.

Wolfram, I'm going to pick you out of the lineup for a moment, but it's just as an example and not for any reasons of personal hate-ons, just so you know. IIRC I've seen you calling for the elimination of both FF threads a number of times, and pretty much from the day of the cancellation. And, well, why? To be blunt, if you don't want to see them, why not unsub and then they won't be in your message center.

Um, you don't recall correctly. This is the first time I've suggested eliminating any Firefly thread. So I can't respond to the rest of your post.

And I was talking about the spoiler thread since, prior to ita's post, I was thinking all the eps had aired and what's the spoiler thread still for? Obviously the Buffy spoilage lite thread could close for the same reason.

The "pro-deletion" stance is not about deleting threads, but it's about making room for threads that people seem to want without increasing the number of open threads. In essence, it's thread addition without proliferation through elimination of obsoletion. Not just pro-deletion.

Never mind, then, Wolfram -- I must've been thinking of someone else.

In essence, it's thread addition without proliferation through elimination of obsoletion.

wow.. that sentence simultaneously hurt my head and made me marvel (Not Marvel) at the wonder that is the English Language.

Good job!

Never mind, then, Wolfram -- I must've been thinking of someone else.

Funny, I get that a lot in bed. :)

I'd be happy to have a Wonder Falls thread and a general post-grad thread. (So that Tim feels welcome to visit.)

I think we'd be getting rid of Buffy spoilage lite and the regular NAFDA Buffy thread and the Buffy and Angel Spoilers would morph into an Angel only spoilers thread.

I could see combining the Buffy and Angel quotables threads - we do pull out quotes from the FX reruns occasionally. Actually, since the threads get used most heavily immediately after a broadcast, maybe the Angel quotables could just become an all-round quotables thread?

I admit the Farscape thread was started here (upon my request), and not at WX, but it was before we became aware of the technical downside of thread proliferation.

I'd have no problems with wrapping, say, all the space-related show discussion into one thread. Farscape/Firefly/Stargate/Enterprise/whatever comes down the line. Or any other omnibus thread for non-ME shows or shows not in production right now.

I loved having a Farscape thread, but, well. ::sigh::