To Open Thread or Not to Open Thread?

Thanks to the cessation of daily open thread posts during and after my recent vacation, participation in the forums has really taken off. However, when I announced on Monday that I would cease posting open threads for the foreseeable future, a number of you protested.

While I am certainly glad to see the forums well-utilized, I also don't want to alienate those of you who have contributed some of the most interesting discussion to this site. When I post daily open threads, forum usage declines, but without open threads, some people don't really participate as much. So I'm looking for some kind of middle ground.

Does anyone have suggestions for a way that we can facilitate open thread discussion without decreasing forum usage? I was thinking of reducing the open thread frequency, or placing it one click away from the front page (like the forums already are).

What do you think of either of those ideas, and what are some other things we might try?

On Vacation, Check the Forums!

Click here to go to the forums.

I'll be on vacation with little to no Internet access through the 28th, so I likely won't be making new posts during that time. This includes open thread posts.

I strongly encourage everyone to head over to the forums while I'm gone. It only takes a few seconds to create an account, and the discussion is 100% user-driven.

Here are a few forum tips:

• After logging in, you'll see an orange icon () next to any groups that have new posts since your last visit.
• To post a link, use the following format: [url=http://yourlinkhere.com/]Here is my link[/url].
• If you have problems, either PM Lake Hills Renter or Synthetik.
• You can also try emailing me, but there's no guarantee I'll be able to get back to you.

Next time I'll try to line up a series of guest posters when I head out.

In the mean time, click here to go to the forums.

Where did the "Open Threads" go?

In an effort to de-clutter the front page, I have modified the dates on all "Open Thread" posts to 25 years prior to their real post date. Open threads will still be posted regularly, but in order to find them you'll need to click the open threads link at the top of the page, or browse the archives at the bottom of the sidebar for posts with dates in the 80's.

Wednesday Open Thread

Here is your open thread for Wednesday, April 25, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here. Also, if you have an idea or article for a main post, please make it known.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!

Tuesday Open Thread

This is your open thread for Tuesday, April 24, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here. Also, if you have an idea or article for a main post, please feel free to let me know.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!

04.19.2007 - Thursday Open Thread

This is your open thread for Thursday, April 19, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!

04.18.2007 - Wednesday Open Thread

This is your open thread for Wednesday, April 18, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!

04.17.2007 - Tuesday Open Thread

This is your open thread for Tuesday, April 17, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!

04.16.2007 - Monday Open Thread

This is your open thread for Monday, April 16, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!

04.14.2007 - Weekend Open Thread

This is your open thread for the weekend of April 14-15, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!

04.13.2007 - Friday Open Thread

This is your open thread for Friday, the Thirteenth of April, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!

04.12.2007 - Thursday Open Thread

This is your open thread for Thursday, April 12, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!

04.11.2007 - Wednesday Open Thread

This is your open thread for Wednesday, April 11, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!

04.10.2007 - Tuesday Open Thread

This is your open thread for Tuesday, April 10, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!

04.09.2007 - Monday Open Thread

This is your open thread for Monday, April 9, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!

04.07.2007 - Weekend Open Thread

This is your open thread for the weekend of April 7-8, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!

04.06.2007 - Friday Open Thread

This is your open thread for Friday, April 6, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!

04.05.2007 - Thursday Open Thread

This is your open thread for Thursday, April 5, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!

04.04.2007 - Wednesday Open Thread

This is your open thread for Wednesday, April 4, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!

04.03.2007 - Tuesday Open Thread

This is your open thread for Tuesday, April 3, 2007. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here.

Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in the user-driven discussions there!