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
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Bah, I was waiting in the hope Simon would do this
*NM*
30/08/2009 12:18:36 PM
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I didn't dare wait for fear you would
*NM*
30/08/2009 01:03:35 PM
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Some of us have more class... if I was going to post it, I would have.
30/08/2009 01:07:02 PM
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Because it's the premier website for discussion Sci-Fi & Fantasy.
30/08/2009 12:45:51 PM
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For you
*NM*
30/08/2009 01:31:47 PM
- 907 Views

For the gin!
30/08/2009 01:40:23 PM
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Oh dear.
30/08/2009 02:05:14 PM
- 1777 Views
Is there any rum, perchance? *NM*
30/08/2009 05:46:08 PM
- 907 Views
Bloody hope so!
31/08/2009 07:06:11 PM
- 1514 Views
DIbs!
31/08/2009 07:09:46 PM
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*shows up at just the right time* *NM*
31/08/2009 08:24:36 PM
- 932 Views
To find out what all the new SNs are.
30/08/2009 03:59:12 PM
- 1714 Views

Because previous pub is being closed. And because here is pretty
*NM*
30/08/2009 08:42:52 PM
- 935 Views

Heh *NM*
30/08/2009 10:37:30 PM
- 918 Views
After all we have meant to each other, all I get is a guttural "Heh"?
31/08/2009 01:52:20 PM
- 1401 Views
It was more a husky "heh" sirrah! Unhand my posts!
31/08/2009 08:23:00 PM
- 1740 Views
Because Ben said I could do this...
31/08/2009 12:14:24 AM
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because I have some hopes of asserting some kind of admin control
*NM*
02/09/2009 02:26:46 AM
- 899 Views

... no. Just... no.
02/09/2009 03:39:17 PM
- 1497 Views
b-b-b-but Jonte..
02/09/2009 04:41:38 PM
- 1428 Views
Oh.
02/09/2009 05:37:07 PM
- 1470 Views
The insanity
19/09/2009 12:15:07 PM
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You just noticed?
19/09/2009 01:48:39 PM
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'Cause I like you people. *NM*
19/09/2009 10:43:25 PM
- 832 Views
Corkscrew!
01/12/2009 01:02:51 PM
- 1301 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
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So you're still question markless? You can have one of mine? *NM*
15/02/2010 11:19:31 PM
- 881 Views
The champ[agne!
17/02/2010 01:58:20 PM
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*arrives on white horse with Bolli strapped to back*
17/02/2010 07:50:34 PM
- 1496 Views
Memories? *NM*
04/06/2010 10:56:25 AM
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Of triumphs past? *NM*
07/06/2010 12:41:17 PM
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Of good times... *NM*
08/06/2010 02:57:43 PM
- 900 Views
And peignoirs...I shall never forget the diaphanous emerald green peignoir
*NM*
09/06/2010 04:24:28 AM
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And here I was thinking it had been the power tools all along... *NM*
09/06/2010 06:46:07 AM
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Peignoirs are revealing, but a power tool is a thing of beauty forever
*NM*
09/06/2010 06:57:01 AM
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recipricating saws can be revealing, too! *NM*
09/06/2010 07:14:11 AM
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True, yet I find a sliding compound action is smoother and gives a better result
*NM*
09/06/2010 07:30:44 AM
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~hic~
14/06/2010 01:48:04 PM
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To leave random comments...
23/07/2010 11:57:15 AM
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To read random comments...
23/07/2010 12:52:56 PM
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Re: To read random comments...
28/07/2010 01:38:59 AM
- 1897 Views
07/09/2010 11:27:56 AM
- 1762 Views

I still reckon it's for the terrapins.
02/08/2010 11:06:11 PM
- 1939 Views
Did that exist this year?
02/08/2010 11:19:05 PM
- 1672 Views
But of course.
02/08/2010 11:27:26 PM
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Huh.
02/08/2010 11:28:50 PM
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Ohhh. Snarky.
02/08/2010 11:34:41 PM
- 1725 Views
Yay, terrapins
04/08/2010 01:57:07 PM
- 1762 Views

Yup, I think that reference was last seen on CMB3, so time for a reuse
04/08/2010 02:46:34 PM
- 1544 Views

For the reasoned discourse
19/08/2010 02:02:34 PM
- 1519 Views

To ask why...
24/08/2010 11:26:42 AM
- 1864 Views
She did what?
25/08/2010 12:35:06 AM
- 1563 Views
And she always seemed such a well raised Sheila
25/08/2010 04:21:42 PM
- 1591 Views

Who spread such scurrilous rumour?
10/10/2010 11:59:23 AM
- 1715 Views

The team you have taken under your wing boasts of it on their shirts!
10/10/2010 01:03:54 PM
- 1676 Views
Hey, you totally did not have permission to post that picture!
10/10/2010 02:34:07 PM
- 1614 Views
I'm sorry
10/10/2010 02:36:36 PM
- 1550 Views
You should be.
10/10/2010 05:27:18 PM
- 1541 Views
Oh, I think I misunderstood
10/10/2010 05:52:26 PM
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Oh <3
12/10/2010 11:35:38 AM
- 1476 Views
Ccccccccccoooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeee bbbbbbaccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkk!
12/10/2010 12:35:57 PM
- 1622 Views
To find out what my family has been up to. *NM*
31/08/2010 07:33:20 PM
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I refer you to Jonte's succinct answer in your main post
01/09/2010 01:48:26 AM
- 1829 Views
To have my culture and heritage slandered, apparently.
10/09/2010 02:52:35 PM
- 1467 Views
You mean this doesn't happen globally?
12/10/2010 02:17:34 PM
- 1734 Views

Because otherwise I would have to concentrate on work
22/10/2010 01:29:23 AM
- 1858 Views
You have become an Enigma to me
22/10/2010 08:55:18 AM
- 1654 Views
But... Wait... Huh?
22/10/2010 10:09:19 AM
- 1583 Views
Re: But... Wait... Huh?
25/10/2010 11:59:12 AM
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Who's in Hawthorn, when. Who's on first!
25/10/2010 12:30:34 PM
- 1629 Views
Because otherwise I would have to concentrate on work
25/10/2010 06:34:20 PM
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To gloat from the top of the FF table
*NM*
26/10/2010 04:38:08 PM
- 907 Views

To gloat from the top of the FF table?
15/11/2010 09:38:09 PM
- 1612 Views

Which table are we talking about? I intend to gloat from the other one
*NM*
15/11/2010 09:57:24 PM
- 914 Views

But...but...but...
15/11/2010 10:01:40 PM
- 1650 Views
The cat is drinking my tea
04/07/2011 01:25:10 PM
- 1588 Views
Where u bin?
05/07/2011 01:34:09 AM
- 1653 Views
Bin laden with the daily drudge
06/07/2011 06:19:28 AM
- 1845 Views
Re: Bin laden with the daily drudge
06/07/2011 07:04:02 AM
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To keep in touch with my family *NM*
14/07/2011 01:00:18 PM
- 791 Views
...we thought you had escaped
18/07/2011 08:27:16 AM
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We did.
29/07/2011 04:53:41 PM
- 1487 Views
To check if my doggies are still running
31/08/2011 12:50:16 AM
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I thought I saw them resting there a bit?
20/09/2011 01:40:04 PM
- 1464 Views
Look at those puppies go!
22/09/2011 10:46:33 PM
- 1504 Views
For a quiet corner to quietly mourn the Grand Final loss....
02/10/2011 10:05:08 PM
- 1474 Views
Come, come my girl, chin up!
04/10/2011 04:11:57 AM
- 1488 Views
Once again, you prove to be a man of sense
04/10/2011 04:47:49 AM
- 1418 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
- 1332 Views
To each man his weaknesses, my friend
04/10/2011 10:31:34 PM
- 1345 Views
To see if anyone here forgot to give me a birthday present.
19/10/2011 04:23:39 PM
- 1803 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
- 911 Views
Because my quest for free booze always brings me back here eventually!
28/10/2011 06:55:56 PM
- 1639 Views
Bloody Melbourne Cup has shut everything else down for the day!
01/11/2011 01:40:04 AM
- 1646 Views
So your horse did not quite make it?
03/11/2011 02:14:01 AM
- 1395 Views
The fascinators infesting this city meant I couldn't get to a tote on time...
03/11/2011 09:35:09 AM
- 1423 Views
I feel obliged to suggest...
07/11/2011 04:29:28 AM
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So, your reason is that you need to lecture people?
07/11/2011 02:11:11 PM
- 1427 Views
Did you object to any of the suggestions?
07/11/2011 03:28:07 PM
- 1468 Views
Yes, most.
07/11/2011 03:42:12 PM
- 1393 Views
On what grounds?
07/11/2011 04:41:31 PM
- 1355 Views
Re: On what grounds?
08/11/2011 12:51:27 AM
- 1636 Views
I don't think we're getting anywhere
08/11/2011 02:10:30 AM
- 1731 Views
What this post is all about
13/11/2011 10:33:36 PM
- 1568 Views
I have my reasons *acts all coy* *NM*
10/11/2011 04:41:52 PM
- 849 Views
Yes we know.
10/11/2011 05:05:53 PM
- 1489 Views
They are obvious to all and sundry
10/11/2011 10:00:41 PM
- 1518 Views

I'm clearly transparent
10/11/2011 10:13:36 PM
- 1675 Views
Your transparency is one of your finest attributes
10/11/2011 10:28:35 PM
- 1568 Views

Having taken expert advice
10/11/2011 11:31:41 PM
- 1515 Views
I saw. However, there is another way.....
11/11/2011 01:20:08 AM
- 1500 Views

Your great age is only matched by your great wisdom.
14/11/2011 10:00:50 AM
- 1578 Views
Careful now. You wouldn't want me to suddenly remember stories Jen has not heard?
16/11/2011 12:30:14 AM
- 1576 Views
Because I had nothing else to do at a hostel in Lisbon
15/11/2011 11:49:55 PM
- 1806 Views
To read and find out about politics in the US, apparently *NM*
30/01/2012 12:38:38 AM
- 888 Views
To see what is happening
29/08/2012 02:46:57 PM
- 1284 Views

I miss you guys.
09/09/2012 03:22:32 PM
- 1241 Views

Blame football
10/09/2012 01:11:32 AM
- 1353 Views

I usually do, for some reason or other.
10/09/2012 02:45:44 AM
- 1423 Views
Because reasons! *NM*
05/01/2013 01:50:40 PM
- 809 Views
Reasons are good. *NM*
09/01/2013 08:16:35 PM
- 830 Views
Seems like I do it for nostalgia before THE END™
17/02/2017 02:00:05 PM
- 783 Views