It's not at the bottom of the page, if you have your settings for 'show newest replies first', which a lot of us do, it's right at the top, and people regularly complain about resurrected threads doing that, so let's not act like I've got some weird bug up my butt.
This is one thing I hadn't considered. I do not have that, so it did not occur to me. That does make a difference to the "annoyance" level, I'm sure.
Actually what I personally found irritating is that I did click into the thread fairly regularly, rarely saw a meaningful answer, and was always curious what Druid 'couldn't resist', I never asked because there was a whiff of 'old joke' about it, and frankly every time I've pursued an answer on something along those lines in the past, or seen someone else do it, the reply is usually 100% Prick... I'm not sure if you remember the time I asked 'what does NSSP stand for' but I'm sure you've seen those threads, and that's generally about as nice as people get when asking about in-house terms or the 'Golden Age' stuff... except Joel, who actually seems to think we shouldn't be rude or unhelpful to newer people on the site... so I never asked, and when I saw the answer, I wanted to scream.
This all makes sense, but now that you realize it's "meaningless," is the main annoyance simply that it pops up too frequently for you? Because 200+ posts in as long as RAFO has been open doesn't seem that excessive to me. I do realize we don't get to choose our annoyances, however. And I do understand the concept of the golden age snobbery - in this case though, I think you burned yourself. Druid would not have treated you rudely or unfairly.
The big punchline is the site has a tradition so obscure even someone who has posted heavily for 4 years now didn't know about it, and the response that person gets for suggesting maybe it shouldn't be obscure is a smiley face followed by the equivalent of "Don't be an asshole, that right is reserved to the Special Few".
If you think that is what I said, I must have typed things in wrong. And it appears that you have figured it out now, based on the discussion above, so I'm not sure what about it isn't fairly obvious once a few responses have been read through? If that is snobbery, I'll have to apologize, because it just doesn't seem that confusing to me. I somehow managed to figure it out, and I have only been here since 2005. I wasn't part of the "Golden Ages."
What bugs me the most though, now, is that none of those ideas will be accepted, on the ultimate grounds that people resent having the obvious pointed out to them. Nossy, your explanation amounts to "Well, I think it should be obvious" when even if it were it couldn't possibly hurt and you know it isn't because I said it wasn't, in other words you resent me pointing out that the blisteringly obvious to some of you isn't necessarily obvious to all, especially new people, it happens to be on the short list of my pet peeves.
I don't resent anything about your argument, I simply disagree with you. One of my pet peeves is being told how I feel, so I suppose we're roughly even. I simply do not think that it is super confusing, and if you still do after you've looked at the post and some replies, then we'll have to agree to disagree.
The great rebuttal of course would be having 5 or 6 people say how obvious it is to them, guaranteeing no one who felt otherwise would ever say so. The message should include a quick, friendly, and polite introduction, along the lines of:
So... why do you come to RAFO?
We always like to get feedback on what draws people to the site, so we can improve it, and so that other posters can get to know you and your interests, and you theirs. ... followed by the poster either saying their own reasons or posting a reply doing so, to set the tone.
And this would very much be changing the tone of the post, though obviously, the original question should be open enough. People who understand the nostalgic nature can indulge themselves, and people who are new might think of a real reason. I think the reason I disagree with you so strongly is that I rarely read the subtext-type rules or explanations when I think I know what I'm being asked. I simply don't see what's so confusing about "So, why do you come to Rafo?" Answer it or don't. Druid may disagree. Possibly he'll agree that it should be made noob-friendlier. The only reason I answered is that it is a thread that many are fond of, and your suggestions seem unfeeling and cold, and would completely kill that for those who love Druid and his post. If you want a different one for new people, maybe you can talk to Ben about an introductory post.
Now that that is better than some obscure reference to an old tradition is frankly not debatable, so why argue?
Yes, why? Heh.

Also, and again frankly, it wouldn't hurt if along with 'show newest threads first' and 'show newest replies first' we had an option to 'Show newest replies first without showing threads older than X days' or unclick thread or announcements we've already read and don't want to see anymore. Like I said, I'm a big believer in 'if you don't like it, don't click on it' but that's not meant as a salute at those specific threads, I wrangle and roll in the mud here all the time, but I keep my own threads as polite and straightforward as possible, and I never resurrect them ad nauseum. Maybe it's an RPG board bias, we had so many threads skip over the 300 and even 500 replies mark that we set it up to not happen, because we knew first hand what a pain it was to scroll through them trying to find anything. The best thing to do, if people want to continue this 'tradition' and the question itself really is the tradition, is to open it up every couple months with a quick friendly instruction, flag it as an announcement for a while, then lock it down and un-announce it after a few weeks or when that thread fills up past 200 or so, they can always be archived at some point, but it keeps it fresh and manageable.
I don't know what to tell you here. I don't particularly want this thread to disappear, given that it was here since the beginning, and it brought over a nostalgia from Wot, but I can't see that it would be a bad thing to mention your days/time/replies ranking options to Ben. I can see that it might annoy if it kept topping your page. Mine's always at the bottom, so it is a non-issue.
Anyway, that's my piece, and I don't see any reasonable grounds to object to it on, we can wrangle about it but I wouldn't see a point.
I have reasonable grounds from my pov, but I'm perfectly fine if we agree to disagree.
So....why do you come to RAFO?
- 30/08/2009 12:17:30 PM
4174 Views
- 30/08/2009 12:17:30 PM
4174 Views
Bah, I was waiting in the hope Simon would do this
*NM*
- 30/08/2009 12:18:36 PM
1294 Views
*NM*
- 30/08/2009 12:18:36 PM
1294 Views
I didn't dare wait for fear you would
*NM*
- 30/08/2009 01:03:35 PM
1278 Views
*NM*
- 30/08/2009 01:03:35 PM
1278 Views
Some of us have more class... if I was going to post it, I would have.
- 30/08/2009 01:07:02 PM
2089 Views
Because it's the premier website for discussion Sci-Fi & Fantasy.
- 30/08/2009 12:45:51 PM
2599 Views
- 30/08/2009 12:45:51 PM
2599 Views
For you
*NM*
- 30/08/2009 01:31:47 PM
1168 Views
*NM*
- 30/08/2009 01:31:47 PM
1168 Views
For the gin!
- 30/08/2009 01:40:23 PM
2010 Views
Oh dear.
- 30/08/2009 02:05:14 PM
2249 Views
Is there any rum, perchance? *NM*
- 30/08/2009 05:46:08 PM
1165 Views
Bloody hope so!
- 31/08/2009 07:06:11 PM
2024 Views
DIbs!
- 31/08/2009 07:09:46 PM
1889 Views
*shows up at just the right time* *NM*
- 31/08/2009 08:24:36 PM
1191 Views
To find out what all the new SNs are.
- 30/08/2009 03:59:12 PM
2212 Views
- 30/08/2009 03:59:12 PM
2212 Views
Because previous pub is being closed. And because here is pretty
*NM*
- 30/08/2009 08:42:52 PM
1265 Views
*NM*
- 30/08/2009 08:42:52 PM
1265 Views
Heh *NM*
- 30/08/2009 10:37:30 PM
1178 Views
After all we have meant to each other, all I get is a guttural "Heh"?
- 31/08/2009 01:52:20 PM
1795 Views
It was more a husky "heh" sirrah! Unhand my posts!
- 31/08/2009 08:23:00 PM
2198 Views
Because Ben said I could do this...
- 31/08/2009 12:14:24 AM
2192 Views
because I have some hopes of asserting some kind of admin control
*NM*
- 02/09/2009 02:26:46 AM
1146 Views
*NM*
- 02/09/2009 02:26:46 AM
1146 Views
... no. Just... no.
- 02/09/2009 03:39:17 PM
1958 Views
b-b-b-but Jonte..
- 02/09/2009 04:41:38 PM
1881 Views
Oh.
- 02/09/2009 05:37:07 PM
1945 Views
The insanity
- 19/09/2009 12:15:07 PM
2052 Views
You just noticed?
- 19/09/2009 01:48:39 PM
2041 Views
'Cause I like you people. *NM*
- 19/09/2009 10:43:25 PM
1094 Views
Corkscrew!
- 01/12/2009 01:02:51 PM
1774 Views
I've lost my question mark button from my keyboard and I was hoping it was hereabouts somewhere!
- 15/02/2010 11:17:28 PM
1754 Views
So you're still question markless? You can have one of mine? *NM*
- 15/02/2010 11:19:31 PM
1137 Views
The champ[agne!
- 17/02/2010 01:58:20 PM
1769 Views
*arrives on white horse with Bolli strapped to back*
- 17/02/2010 07:50:34 PM
1954 Views
Memories? *NM*
- 04/06/2010 10:56:25 AM
1191 Views
Of triumphs past? *NM*
- 07/06/2010 12:41:17 PM
1142 Views
Of good times... *NM*
- 08/06/2010 02:57:43 PM
1173 Views
And peignoirs...I shall never forget the diaphanous emerald green peignoir
*NM*
- 09/06/2010 04:24:28 AM
1247 Views
*NM*
- 09/06/2010 04:24:28 AM
1247 Views
And here I was thinking it had been the power tools all along... *NM*
- 09/06/2010 06:46:07 AM
1187 Views
Peignoirs are revealing, but a power tool is a thing of beauty forever
*NM*
- 09/06/2010 06:57:01 AM
1201 Views
*NM*
- 09/06/2010 06:57:01 AM
1201 Views
recipricating saws can be revealing, too! *NM*
- 09/06/2010 07:14:11 AM
1101 Views
True, yet I find a sliding compound action is smoother and gives a better result
*NM*
- 09/06/2010 07:30:44 AM
1144 Views
*NM*
- 09/06/2010 07:30:44 AM
1144 Views
~hic~
- 14/06/2010 01:48:04 PM
2192 Views
To leave random comments...
- 23/07/2010 11:57:15 AM
2060 Views
To read random comments...
- 23/07/2010 12:52:56 PM
2262 Views
Re: To read random comments...
- 28/07/2010 01:38:59 AM
2362 Views
- 07/09/2010 11:27:56 AM
2213 Views
- 07/09/2010 11:27:56 AM
2213 Views
I still reckon it's for the terrapins.
- 02/08/2010 11:06:11 PM
2426 Views
Did that exist this year?
- 02/08/2010 11:19:05 PM
2140 Views
But of course.
- 02/08/2010 11:27:26 PM
2100 Views
Huh.
- 02/08/2010 11:28:50 PM
2162 Views
Ohhh. Snarky.
- 02/08/2010 11:34:41 PM
2187 Views
Yay, terrapins
- 04/08/2010 01:57:07 PM
2248 Views
- 04/08/2010 01:57:07 PM
2248 Views
Yup, I think that reference was last seen on CMB3, so time for a reuse
- 04/08/2010 02:46:34 PM
2045 Views
- 04/08/2010 02:46:34 PM
2045 Views
For the reasoned discourse
- 19/08/2010 02:02:34 PM
1998 Views
- 19/08/2010 02:02:34 PM
1998 Views
To ask why...
- 24/08/2010 11:26:42 AM
2342 Views
She did what?
- 25/08/2010 12:35:06 AM
2022 Views
And she always seemed such a well raised Sheila
- 25/08/2010 04:21:42 PM
2061 Views
- 25/08/2010 04:21:42 PM
2061 Views
Who spread such scurrilous rumour?
- 10/10/2010 11:59:23 AM
2202 Views
- 10/10/2010 11:59:23 AM
2202 Views
The team you have taken under your wing boasts of it on their shirts!
- 10/10/2010 01:03:54 PM
2145 Views
Hey, you totally did not have permission to post that picture!
- 10/10/2010 02:34:07 PM
2086 Views
I'm sorry
- 10/10/2010 02:36:36 PM
2035 Views
You should be.
- 10/10/2010 05:27:18 PM
2035 Views
Oh, I think I misunderstood
- 10/10/2010 05:52:26 PM
2041 Views
Oh <3
- 12/10/2010 11:35:38 AM
1928 Views
Ccccccccccoooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeee bbbbbbaccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkk!
- 12/10/2010 12:35:57 PM
2069 Views
To find out what my family has been up to. *NM*
- 31/08/2010 07:33:20 PM
1187 Views
I refer you to Jonte's succinct answer in your main post
- 01/09/2010 01:48:26 AM
2347 Views
To have my culture and heritage slandered, apparently.
- 10/09/2010 02:52:35 PM
1945 Views
You mean this doesn't happen globally?
- 12/10/2010 02:17:34 PM
2222 Views
- 12/10/2010 02:17:34 PM
2222 Views
Because otherwise I would have to concentrate on work
- 22/10/2010 01:29:23 AM
2336 Views
You have become an Enigma to me
- 22/10/2010 08:55:18 AM
2155 Views
But... Wait... Huh?
- 22/10/2010 10:09:19 AM
2047 Views
Re: But... Wait... Huh?
- 25/10/2010 11:59:12 AM
2247 Views
Who's in Hawthorn, when. Who's on first!
- 25/10/2010 12:30:34 PM
2126 Views
Because otherwise I would have to concentrate on work
- 25/10/2010 06:34:20 PM
2099 Views
To gloat from the top of the FF table
*NM*
- 26/10/2010 04:38:08 PM
1163 Views
*NM*
- 26/10/2010 04:38:08 PM
1163 Views
To gloat from the top of the FF table?
- 15/11/2010 09:38:09 PM
2097 Views
- 15/11/2010 09:38:09 PM
2097 Views
Which table are we talking about? I intend to gloat from the other one
*NM*
- 15/11/2010 09:57:24 PM
1162 Views
*NM*
- 15/11/2010 09:57:24 PM
1162 Views
But...but...but...
- 15/11/2010 10:01:40 PM
2101 Views
The cat is drinking my tea
- 04/07/2011 01:25:10 PM
2047 Views
Where u bin?
- 05/07/2011 01:34:09 AM
2111 Views
Bin laden with the daily drudge
- 06/07/2011 06:19:28 AM
2353 Views
Re: Bin laden with the daily drudge
- 06/07/2011 07:04:02 AM
2123 Views
To keep in touch with my family *NM*
- 14/07/2011 01:00:18 PM
1056 Views
...we thought you had escaped
- 18/07/2011 08:27:16 AM
1951 Views
We did.
- 29/07/2011 04:53:41 PM
1936 Views
To check if my doggies are still running
- 31/08/2011 12:50:16 AM
1908 Views
- 31/08/2011 12:50:16 AM
1908 Views
I thought I saw them resting there a bit?
- 20/09/2011 01:40:04 PM
1933 Views
Look at those puppies go!
- 22/09/2011 10:46:33 PM
1968 Views
For a quiet corner to quietly mourn the Grand Final loss....
- 02/10/2011 10:05:08 PM
1972 Views
Come, come my girl, chin up!
- 04/10/2011 04:11:57 AM
1962 Views
Once again, you prove to be a man of sense
- 04/10/2011 04:47:49 AM
1907 Views
Was there ever any doubt? If you ignore the affair of the Ukrainian poledancer and the goat, that is
- 04/10/2011 05:23:37 AM
1699 Views
To each man his weaknesses, my friend
- 04/10/2011 10:31:34 PM
1817 Views
To see if anyone here forgot to give me a birthday present.
- 19/10/2011 04:23:39 PM
2246 Views
How long does this have to go without a reply to get locked at the next one? *NM*
- 20/10/2011 07:29:09 PM
1175 Views
Because my quest for free booze always brings me back here eventually!
- 28/10/2011 06:55:56 PM
2095 Views
Bloody Melbourne Cup has shut everything else down for the day!
- 01/11/2011 01:40:04 AM
2121 Views
So your horse did not quite make it?
- 03/11/2011 02:14:01 AM
1855 Views
The fascinators infesting this city meant I couldn't get to a tote on time...
- 03/11/2011 09:35:09 AM
1899 Views
I feel obliged to suggest...
- 07/11/2011 04:29:28 AM
1979 Views
So, your reason is that you need to lecture people?
- 07/11/2011 02:11:11 PM
1903 Views
Did you object to any of the suggestions?
- 07/11/2011 03:28:07 PM
1941 Views
Yes, most.
- 07/11/2011 03:42:12 PM
1869 Views
On what grounds?
- 07/11/2011 04:41:31 PM
1804 Views
Re: On what grounds?
- 08/11/2011 12:51:27 AM
2113 Views
I don't think we're getting anywhere
- 08/11/2011 02:10:30 AM
2224 Views
What this post is all about
- 13/11/2011 10:33:36 PM
2040 Views
I have my reasons *acts all coy* *NM*
- 10/11/2011 04:41:52 PM
1103 Views
Yes we know.
- 10/11/2011 05:05:53 PM
1957 Views
They are obvious to all and sundry
- 10/11/2011 10:00:41 PM
1980 Views
- 10/11/2011 10:00:41 PM
1980 Views
I'm clearly transparent
- 10/11/2011 10:13:36 PM
2127 Views
Your transparency is one of your finest attributes
- 10/11/2011 10:28:35 PM
2024 Views
- 10/11/2011 10:28:35 PM
2024 Views
Having taken expert advice
- 10/11/2011 11:31:41 PM
1978 Views
I saw. However, there is another way.....
- 11/11/2011 01:20:08 AM
1968 Views
- 11/11/2011 01:20:08 AM
1968 Views
Your great age is only matched by your great wisdom.
- 14/11/2011 10:00:50 AM
2046 Views
Careful now. You wouldn't want me to suddenly remember stories Jen has not heard?
- 16/11/2011 12:30:14 AM
2031 Views
Because I had nothing else to do at a hostel in Lisbon
- 15/11/2011 11:49:55 PM
2271 Views
To read and find out about politics in the US, apparently *NM*
- 30/01/2012 12:38:38 AM
1127 Views
To see what is happening
- 29/08/2012 02:46:57 PM
1745 Views
- 29/08/2012 02:46:57 PM
1745 Views
I miss you guys.
- 09/09/2012 03:22:32 PM
1710 Views
- 09/09/2012 03:22:32 PM
1710 Views
Blame football
- 10/09/2012 01:11:32 AM
1791 Views
- 10/09/2012 01:11:32 AM
1791 Views
I usually do, for some reason or other.
- 10/09/2012 02:45:44 AM
1865 Views
Because reasons! *NM*
- 05/01/2013 01:50:40 PM
1052 Views
Reasons are good. *NM*
- 09/01/2013 08:16:35 PM
1076 Views
Seems like I do it for nostalgia before THE END™
- 17/02/2017 02:00:05 PM
1277 Views



