No malfunction.
I change settings every now and again for one reason or another. Back in the day I had to choose between blocking all replies to classified ads, or allowing them all unrestricted. I chose the middle of the road by allowing the original ad authors to choose what they would prefer. And paid my programmer to set up that classifieds control panel to help in that respect.
Since the discussion forums here never really went anywhere, I am now thinking that this might have been a mistake, and perhaps discussions in the ads might be the only avenue members are willing to travel in order to have discussions and increase overall participation. So I am giving that a try to see if that helps to increase participation in the site in general. Good idea? Who knows?
The only way to find out is to try it to see.