DA.comments

Surely 'suggest a theme' (for the SMH/Age puzzle) would be a low-cost but highly-prized reward!

A very small tweak - is it possible to give an example sentence under 'word of the week'. For over a month now I have been grappling with how to use 'contumely' in a sentence.

Perhaps not a thought at the front of my mind, but a gentle niggle - does that make my comment less pathetic?

The ability to delete or edit one's post?

Anthony - a sly idea. I like it. Or if not a theme, a word - or maybe feature a Storm-winner's clue.... [Think music plays.]

SB - good suggestion. (Will have to wangle the current default of WOTW post being wholly replicated as a front page header.)And don't fret: contumely is deadset ornery.

Nib - can only ask. Seems reasonable, though I'm not aware of that luxury being available on too many other forums. (I know many blogs give you a Preview Comment, which I like, but not sure if it's available here.)

And not forgetting the elephant in the room: some way to represent and navigate sub-threads. I vaguely recall a recent storm where dabblers created new clues for others to solve, and the vast number of comments and cross-referencing got a bit daunting...

GymB, while it may be the pachyderm, can you or anyone find me a forum where this problem is smoothly resolved? If I can see a remedy in action, then I'll be more likely to work the MO into this site.

(Same with Nib's suggestion for a post-Published edit on a Comment. Neat idea, but is that tenable elsewhere? Would love to know.)

Some topics/challenges/storms have a longer natural life cycle than others (to be expected) and the crowd moves on after the creative juices have been exhausted. But sometimes it's hard to know whether the band is just taking a break, or have packed up and gone to the pub. 2 possible solutions-

1) I think you have already mentioned this, but I understand that a "recent comments" section would show the latest inputs across topics? A good idea if technically possible.

2) Failing that, maybe DA you could "wrap up" a topic when you think it has run out of legs. Doesn't need to be lengthy, but would give a sense of closure (did I really say that??)

ps. Where did you get a shot of my car?

DA, As a compromise to the Dumbo issue may I suggest a quotation system as used by a forum in my daily dotcombo : http://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Huge-Flood-relief-Paddleplease-read/

I'll post this on 2 threads:

DA,

Why is deadline Thursday sundown? It used to normally be midnight 30 hours later. Even so the Friday postings were at a trickle or less.

Can't the deadlines just revert to Saturday midnights? A few extra posts probably aren't going affect your assessments much. And they give those who've had a busy week and / or a quiet Friday (night in) a chance to post too.

DA, the attached website forum (if it gets through your spam filter) from my daily dotcombo offers a nice quoting mechanism which I believe would largely satisfy the Dumbo issue.

DA, sample fix for the Dumbo issue may be trapped in your spam filter.

SK: That's the main attraction of Recent Comments imo.
Threads no longer have to die. There doesn't need to be a wrap-up (ahem closure) at all, and a thread from 2 years ago can be reignited, even just for the satisfaction of the re-igniter alone.
So many more options for contributers, and good thread ideas don't just vanish into history.

Gymbos, just freed that link you sent from the spam trap. I've seen the likes before, where a quote can be summoned from a previous post and given its own inner frame - though I do find that an ugly-looking gizmo, and can get cumbersome at times. My thoughts anyhow. Appreciate the tip-off.

(That stand-up paddle trend is going nuts on the South Coast too.)

Mauve, agreed, and the Recent Posts will be a new feature before too long. That way, some older stuff can spring back to life, lit by a retro Comment. Likewise, with posts across a week, chats can more easily bubble across a few fronts.

And last dg - the Thursday deadline is up for discussion. Usually I post a new Storm on Tuesday, allowing 72 hours for players. Do we want more - or should I post later?

For many, the weekend means less idle surfing, while others are the opposite. I'm trying to make my own bloglife more a week-thing, so tend to judge the Storm on a Friday arvo, pre knockoff. Up for ideas, as always.

Or there's the facebook comments approach to the Jumbo issue, as preferred by Mrs GymBunnies.

DA,

72 hours is exactly 3 days! So a Brainstorm up at 1 Tuesdy arvo would 'expire' 1 Friday. This is your blog and it's silly if it rules you (i.e. you end up stuck here Sat morning when you have better things to do). But it would be nice to have more than 2 and a bit days to have a chance to do one justice, so to speak. Hmm, maybe they could go up Monday.

Thanks for your feedback, dg. You are a proven Stormer, so your onfield presence always lifts the game.

Maybe, just maybe I could post a Storm on Thurs, with a late Sunday deadline, giving both 'office' players, and weekenders a fair crack, and a total of 4 days to muse.

That would mean a latish Monday wrap. Then a Birdbrain, and a variety post (Meh, Huh, other wordy distractions) midweek. Could work.

Is that a better feng shui for all sensei?

I don't know about others, but my weekly routine is: Storm Tues - Thurs, DA crossword Sat-Sun. Storm over the weekend would clash with the crossword, and leave the week bereft.
Just to add some jam to an already sticky situation.

One storm a week is enough. I just know a few times Ive been busy or unwell early in the week and have shrugged my shoulders at that week's storm.