To #1 I would add: build in comment collapsing. I've read many threads where the first top-level comment is fantastic. Then there's one or more screen-lengths

To #1 I would add: build in comment collapsing. I've read many threads where the first top-level comment is fantastic. Then there's one or more screen-lengths of comments piggybacking off that comment. My favorite feature of Reddit is being to sort comments by vote total, then collapse a thread after reading the first comment. Auto-collapsed low point threads would also be a good disincentive for inane posting.