What is a forum feature (level 2)?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

and why would it not be available?

(That reminds me of a class I once took from a self-described genius. No one in class had a clue of anything he was saying. He would stop mid-sentence, restart on another topic, jump back, then begin a third and even a fourth sentence, before he finished (maybe) the very first one he started. Add to that a very fast, high-pitched method of speaking, the worst possible Cape Cod lisp/speech impediment, and a nasal problem probably due to too much yourthful nose candy. Well, you get the idea.
Or not.)

[Sgent]

1. DU

automatically shifts into various modes (Level 2, Level 3, etc) when site traffic gets high to reduce the server load.

Lvl 2 kills taglines I believe.

[achtung_circus]

5. I asked this question once

and it's manual switching (or was at that time) rather than automatic.

[RoyGBiv]

2. If you read it ...

It will tell you.

[Elad]

3. If you read the announcement it explains everything n/t

[Goldeneye]

4. see this message from the admins

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=announcement&id=1