Sorry if any of this has been mentioned before, but whatever:
If you're the threads STARTER, the 4 posts per half an hour doesnt apply to you, and you could lock your own topic.
This would be especially helpfull in all of the "Ill make you a wahatever" or "Ill rate you" threads. The rater, or sig maker, or whatever the fuck he is doing, could keep posting without using alts or saying "omg sorry, 4 post per hour rule". Also, if they could lock their topic, when they are done, or just tired of the making them, and people keep asking, LOCK. The end.
The lock thing could also work in all of the threads asking some question. Like:
Whats the website for something?
blahblahblah answer
oh, ok. Thanks. LOCK (since there isnt much use for the topic now)
Anyone else think these are good ideas? :D