First off...
Isn't there a way to make sub-threads; I mean, have a thread that is under another thread, like a thread in a folder as we have it now? Can't we just make it so all of the 'pure' threads have a little button below the posing window that says 'creat sub-thread' and automatically quotes the post that the person is replying to? That would solve the pure threads problem--nobody would have to make a new thread, they wouldn't get to numerous or hard to find because they would only be choosable once the master thread was highlighted. I've seen such on other forums, can't we encorperate that into the new TWG?
I, too, have found myself visiting way less these days, since nothing interesting ever comes up anymore. Most of the stuff that remains unlocked remains mindless dribble or small talk because anything that becomes a debate or an argument is immediately locked, modded, threatened or otherwise massacred.
Flame wars at TWG rarely, if ever, succumb to personal attacks, and when they do, the attacks are coupled with opinions, so it isn't even half as bad as at most forums. I think that until a debate or argument turns into personal attacks, it should remain unlocked. If there is a 'flame war to be,' it should be left up UNTIL it becomes a flame war--opinions, especially conflicting opinions, are getting so rare here at TWG it makes the site much less appealing. I always have TWG open, I'm here all the time, but because nothing ever interests me I hardly even browse anymore.
And the Noob treatment now is not too harsh, I think. I came in pretty rough, and I didn't resurrect old threads, I just turked a few people off with my opinion(s), which DID turn into a flame war (one which was not locked or edited, which goes to show how much more censored TWG is today compared to a year or so ago). And now I'm, or I would like to think I am, a productive member of the board--at least I'm not detrimental. If nobody has to deal with some stressors when they join the board, they'll never loose those Noob habits--I think that where the bar is now is about as 'nice' as we should get--give them a few warnings, but don't make it excessive, lay them in line if they're out of it.