I agree with PhiKapMom and would carry it a bit further. I’d suggest a blanket, automated block on thread-starting (any threads, not just vanities) by people who have been registered less than a couple of months, and even then, only after they reach a certain number of total posts (to weed out delayed use of phony registrations by people aren’t really participating in the forum).
I’m sure I was here, actively posting AND donating for many, many months (maybe even over a year), before I ever started a thread. If a newbie has something really special to post, they could ask an established FReeper, either on a related thread or by FReepmail, to post a thread with the material. For a newbie with some sort of valuable inside position (e.g. in government or a major media organization) whose identity is known to the management, the block could be manually removed upon request, if the management sees fit.
There are hundreds of threads posted here every day, and not much legitimate reason for newbies to start threads. They could spend all day participating in fascinating threads on a huge variety of topics, covering all major issues currently facing the nation, and still not have exhausted the day’s offerings. What’s the big rush to skip over threads posted by established FReepers and start their own threads?
I concur. And similarly, I lurked for a long time before signing up, and it was about 10 months from sign-up to my first thread-originating post.
I’ve been here for years....very seldom post a thread....By the time I get things filled out and downloaded....The story has already been posted....SO just limit to useful information.
I like this idea, too. Sort of enforces the newbie in earning their lower level merit badges before being allowed higher responsibility. You learn a lot just be reading and posting to threads, so that after a few months you have a better feel for how it all works, the proper FR protocol, etc.