You know, the reason we are different than everyone else and use HTML instead of BBcode and have no smilies is not a decision I made, I just did not know how to do it back then. Now I think I could make it work, at least partially.
We should not forget that all the news and old post will stay though, so just prohibiting HTML is not an option. Making BBcode work should not hurt too much for old posts, and some smiles are nice too IMO. Just the simple ones like :) ;) :D :( 8) :P There will be no newbie-friendly menu for picking smiles and BBcode though. I hate newbies! :D
Not saying I will do it today or tomorrow, just warning you that it might come and asking if there other opinions on that issue.
lol. I have always loved this site for using html and not bbcode. As long as the html stays, and ":)" are not automatically changed to smileys, I will be happy. I prefer ascii :(
It shouldn't be a problem to have both html and BBCode.
Smilies... I don't think you should waste your time on these now ;) BWMN seems to get along without any very well. If any, only allow forced smilies like :happy: and stuff like that. But I wouldn't do that either (though I am a frequent smilie user).