user92: I recently posted this question about how to build a good bridge out basic bricks ( Bridge from just basic bricks? ), which got closed as being too open-ended, apparently.  I found this to be, of course, extremely discouraging.  I would suggest How to Build X type of questions are acceptable.  They are fun, engaging, and don't hurt anybody.  
Our community is young and traffic is still light, but I'm confident that there will be more questions like this.  The issue is whether we turn users with these question away, or welcome them.
As a practical example, if my bridge question is unacceptable, then I would suggest that following must also be unacceptable:

How can I build an (automatic) Mindstorms charging-station?
What is a good ratio to buy bricks in?
How would you make a good pivot-arm suspension?
How does one get a job as a LEGO designer?

Personally, I think all of the above questions positively contribute to the community - I would hate to see them go away.

user92: Open ended questions should be allowed, as they encourage engagement, deeper insights, and professional opinions, which will keep the site from being Just the Facts.  That would be boring.
If we find an open-ended question that is too subjective, or not specific enough to answer well, then we should tactfully and professionally make suggestions as to how to improve the question.
This would contrast to pure discussion questions like, "what is your favorite set?"

user-1: First, I don't think it's a good idea to compare your question to "How does one get a job as a LEGO designer?" or "What is a good ratio to buy bricks in?" These questions cover a totally different topic, and so demand different standards (or different applications of the same standards).
The problem I see is one of scope. A Mindstorms charging station and the pivot-arm suspension (given the wheel sizes as specified in the question) are concrete goals with specific restrictions. "A bridge with basic bricks" is a vast universe of possible designs. How long? How much weight must it support? Beam or cantilever or arch? Even your question varies in whether you allow plates or not.
Good questions about how to build bridges can be written. I just don't think yours, as written, was one of them.

92: <p>I recently posted this question about how to build a good bridge out basic bricks ( <a href="https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/349/bridge-from-just-basic-bricks">Bridge from just basic bricks?</a> ), which got closed as being too open-ended, apparently.  I found this to be, of course, extremely discouraging.  I would suggest <strong>How to Build X</strong> type of questions are acceptable.  They are fun, engaging, and don't hurt anybody.  </p>

<p>Our community is young and traffic is still light, but I'm confident that there will be more questions like this.  The issue is whether we turn users with these question away, or welcome them.</p>

<p>As a practical example, if my bridge question is unacceptable, then I would suggest that following must also be unacceptable:</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/168/how-to-build-a-automatic-mindstorms-charging-station">How can I build an (automatic) Mindstorms charging-station?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/273/what-is-a-good-ratio-to-buy-bricks-in">What is a good ratio to buy bricks in?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/362/how-would-you-make-a-good-pivot-arm-suspension">How would you make a good pivot-arm suspension?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/283/how-does-one-get-a-job-as-a-lego-designer">How does one get a job as a LEGO designer?</a></li>
</ul>

<p>Personally, I think all of the above questions positively contribute to the community - I would hate to see them go away.</p>
 92: <p>Open ended questions should be allowed, as they encourage engagement, deeper insights, and professional opinions, which will keep the site from being <strong>Just the Facts</strong>.  That would be boring.</p>

<p>If we find an open-ended question that is too subjective, or not specific enough to answer well, then we should tactfully and professionally make suggestions as to how to improve the question.</p>

<p>This would contrast to pure <strong>discussion</strong> questions like, <em>"what is your favorite set?"</em></p>
 -1: <p>First, I don't think it's a good idea to compare your question to "How does one get a job as a LEGO designer?" or "What is a good ratio to buy bricks in?" These questions cover a totally different topic, and so demand different standards (or different applications of the same standards).</p>

<p>The problem I see is one of scope. A Mindstorms charging station and the pivot-arm suspension (given the wheel sizes as specified in the question) are concrete goals with specific restrictions. "A bridge with basic bricks" is a vast universe of possible designs. How long? How much weight must it support? Beam or cantilever or arch? Even your question varies in whether you allow plates or not.</p>

<p><em>Good questions about how to build bridges can be written.</em> I just don't think yours, as written, was one of them.</p>
