I have read these forums since around 1998 (or thereabouts).

1) I don't think flame wars need policing. This is a professional forum where people should be able to work their issues out (or drop them). As a reader, I know and expect people to argue about topics...it is the Internet afterall. I have no problem reading the "meat" of a post, while skipping stuff that I'm not interrested in (flame war). I say ignore it and let the people talk :P

2) Personally, I don't really think lockingclosing is even necessary. I understand the principle, but I tend to believe that a professional group of people can and do censor themselves. It's just like TV programs. If there is a thread that is off topic, I skip over it and ignore the content I'm not looking for. The only time I would think that a thread needs removed or closed would be when it contains spam-like content (illegal program sales, porn, viagra ads, etc). Regardless, if a thread is closed, I don't get my panties in a bunch.

3) Although this is an 8051 forum, I enjoy reading about other topics sometimes that have in the past been shut down. I respect a number of individuals backgrouns in this forum that often I DO want to discuss topics like general electronics, PIC, etc. I don't know exactly how you "draw the line", but I often wish that semi-related discussion of similar topics didn't get shutdown.

4) If people can't handle seeing other similar topics, then maybe this is a good idea. But again, I tend to be pretty lax about skipping content I'm not interrested in versus taking the "Internet Police" approach.

With all that said, I have really enjoyed the community here. It has been my #1 source for not only 8051, but other topics such as RF and general electronics. The wealth of general embedded knowledge here has been unbelievable (I won't mention names).

Thanks,
Tomas