I think it would be cool if the Great Debate feature could be automated.
Reason for Automation:Starting a Great Debate can seem overwhelming and difficult to setup up. I know (and most of you know) it isn't, but that doesn't change the fact that it can
seem that way. Especially to new users or users not accustomed to formal settings. Such a thing could help with giving creationists an easy way to get into a more controlled debate format (less dogpiling).
Proposed Method for Implementation:By using something similar to the Private Messaging system, any user can send any other user an invitation to a Great Debate, which would include the opening post and the list of users to be allowed to post within the Great Debate. This can be set up to allow not only 1 vs. 1, but also only 3 or 4 or 5 users... Although I would recommend a maximum (Admin controllable in the board's configuration settings).
Before going onto the other users, the Great Debate opening post PM would go to moderators for approval of the topic (if the board is using a moderator screening process such as this one). Once approved, the Great Debate PM is then sent to all users on the Great Debate user list.
On receipt of the Great Debate PM, all users would be able to see the moderator-approved opening post, and the list of to-be-allowed posters for the debate.
The list of allowed users would also show (via different colouring) who has accepted, declined or not yet decided for the Great Debate.
Once all users have accepted or declined, the debate would automatically begin with all accepting users.
Notes:-If only 1 user accepts the Great Debate and all others decline... the Great Debate is not opened, but closed and the users are notified of such.
-If you're feeling ambitious, the User List could be split into "For" and "Against" categories concerning the opening post. This way the Great Debate could also be automatically closed if all of one side declined the debate (regardless of how many on the other side accepted).
-When the Great Debate is opened, the "Participants" list could be slightly modified to reflect the Great Debate user list (that is, also showing the users involved even if they have yet to make a post). Or, this could even be split into the "For" and "Against" categories previously mentioned.
-The Great Debate could be given a different-looking title in the thread listings and be placed within the normal forums (no need for a specific "Great Debate" forum if each Great Debate thread is obvious enough as to what it is). This would allow for Great Debates on specific topics to be located with the rest of the threads/forums that pertain to that topic.
...But I think it would be a lot of work.
Thinking up work for others to do is fun!!
Edited by Stile, : Just adding more work for Percy