Isn't it about time that we raise the requirement for a flash passing through the portal. For me I would think it a no-brainer, but day in and day out we have allowed the likes of kitty krew barney bunch etc. to get the best of Ng. I hate seeing stuff like the ones that have passed with scores like 1.67/5. I don't think it's very respectful of the freedom NG gives its authors. Besides those obvious reasons here are some other factors.
Flash Quality.
With flash 8 out and flash 9 soon coming, it is now easier to make better looking flashes more quickly. I remember a quote Tom made on the front page while "Prowlies at the River" was still there. "The bar for flash has been raised." Indeed it had, but I think along with more quality flash came more people who either decided to have their little groups where they could pass each one off because of a good intro followed by crap. It isn't right. Like socio-economics it has created a gap between the amount of hard-worked ones and complete crap.
Experience/Vote Inflation.
I think it's also time to realize that like how we usually only raise the minimum wage to keep up with inflation, we need to raise the score. Groups like star syndicate (there not all bad) have made a living off getting a high level with lots of voting power, then passing their crap through the portal. It's gotta stop.
Encourage N00bs
A raise in the minimum requirement will encourage more n00bs at flash to rwork hard on their first flashes more, showcase it in the flash forum first more, and be more satisfied in the work they've done. Though I think we've been catering to n00bs and other makers of inconsistant flash by having not all the flashes count towards the batting average. There should be those kind of dents in our average to motivate us to work harder.
Let's try at least raise it to 2.0 or maybe even go so far as 2.25
/rant
