   alternatives to closing threads
  given the number of threads that get closed because they go offtopic, there should be an alternative to outright closing threads.my idea is that when a thread is closed, people can still reply, but the post never moves back to the top of the forum. that way, someone who wants to add something to the origional disgussion, nothing is blocked from doing so. once the thread falls off the first page, then noone can reply to the thread, preventing necroing from occuring.then again, thats just me. 
  A better idea, IMO, would be the capability to split threads so that offtopic stuff gets a thread of its own (perhaps with the moderator responsible adding an initial post to explain the split). ;  I''m not sure this would be worth implementing. Threads are rarely closed just because they go off-topic. More often the threads go off-topic and   become flame fights, and so get closed. Threads that go off-topic and stay civil stay seem to stay open. At least I don''t see any counter examples in the last few days. 