LAST EDITED ON Nov-20-01 AT 04:06 PM (EST)

>A better, more flexible feature would be the presence of a "start a
>new thread with this reply" function.

Which, I recall, was either #1 or #2 on my personal Requested Feature list.

>As it is, I'm always a little reluctant to step in and lock things
>because I fear people will go, "Hmm, here's a thought - oh, but this
>thread's locked, so I guess I won't bother posting it."

Well, if the feature you describe were properly implemented, you could do a "reply to new thread" to an article in a locked thread. You just couldn't reply within the thread.

If a thread is so ridiculously off-topic or offensive that you don't even want anyone to think about replying to it, don't lock the thread... delete it.

--truss.