That’s me!

…the Jobs.OSNews site was really a prototype for how I see OSNews looking and feeling.

I like the color changes and the idea of “Web 2.0″-ification, just don’t change the actual layout of the page too much. That is, unless there is a definite need for it (i.e., you’re planning to list recent reviews/comments/etc all on the front page).

…threading…

What about when threads branch so far that each post gets too small to fit? The “More…” thing has killed countless conversations. Is that going to be addressed?

I came up with the concept of “starred stories” because I want to make “recommendations” more of a suggestion for other readers.

Great, but just remember that this is what AJAX was meant for. Make it a big toggleable star attached to the story (like GMail) and this will be an incredibly successful feature. I 100% believe “recommendations” failed solely because it is too hard to recommend something. Moderation suffers the same problem, and though it is used, it may be used more frequently if a page reload isn’t required.

Talk about moderation, what’s up with that? Not sure yet?

I also am currently supporting something I’ve not decided on: avatars.

No harm here. Could add some personality.

…user defined conversations…

Hmm. Maybe, instead of one thread of comments per article, users can start conversations. Eg., SkyOS, without fail, gets a conversation about “GPL compliance,” and anything relating to that is sectioned off in a “conversation” that someone starts. All conversations are on the same page, but visually separated (boxed off or something).

Otherwise, though, I think what you’re talking about is a forum.