Well, I take Wolf's point about voting. I've no idea what comprises the "consensus" - I assume it's the consensus of opinion as generated through this thread.

I still stick out for Thiu's basic model, but on the other hand, I can see what Wolf is saying.

How about a message being posted to ALL Germanics with a quick overview of each model and a deadline to vote?

That said, I know, through my own website, how difficult it is to get people to vote. I do everything from cajoling to downright pleading! But if they haven't contributed here in this thread already, then it's unlikely they'll bother to vote - believe me, I know! It's usually the faithful few who do each and every time.

However, yes, if, like me, members DON'T often get that much of a chance to catch up with board matters, they MAY have missed what's been going on, (though I think it unlikely) and therefore SHOULD have the opportunity now to do so, even if it's after the original deadline date.

btw, I'm not entirely sure what "sweet talking" means in this instance. Whilst history is an academic and serious subject, it's also full of life, vitality and humour. Therefore, even if a discussion is serious in content - simple fun should NOT be excluded from it as it has just as pertinent a part to play.

You are professional and academic people here - but there must be members like myself who are Historical "lightweights". The site MUST be as straight forward as possible so that EVERYONE can understand it easily.