Index: wikibits.js
===================================================================
--- wikibits.js	(revision 40285)
+++ wikibits.js	(working copy)
@@ -518,7 +518,7 @@
 var ts_image_down = "sort_down.gif";
 var ts_image_none = "sort_none.gif";
 var ts_europeandate = wgContentLanguage != "en"; // The non-American-inclined can change to "true"
-var ts_alternate_row_colors = true;
+var ts_alternate_row_colors = false;
 var SORT_COLUMN_INDEX;
 
 function sortables_init() {
@@ -535,15 +535,12 @@
 }
 
 function ts_makeSortable(table) {
-	var firstRow;
-	if (table.rows && table.rows.length > 0) {
-		if (table.tHead && table.tHead.rows.length > 0) {
-			firstRow = table.tHead.rows[table.tHead.rows.length-1];
-		} else {
-			firstRow = table.rows[0];
-		}
-	}
-	if (!firstRow) return;
+	// set the firstRow after the last THEAD row
+	// note: the THEAD element is not currently supported on Wikipedia
+//	if (table.tHead && table.tHead.rows.length > 0)
+//		var firstRow = table.tHead.rows[table.tHead.rows.length - 1]
+//	else
+		var firstRow = table.rows[0]
 
 	// We have a first row: assume it's the header, and make its contents clickable links
 	for (var i = 0; i < firstRow.cells.length; i++) {
@@ -595,9 +592,12 @@
 	// Work out a type for the column
 	if (table.rows.length <= 1) return;
 
-	// Skip the first row if that's where the headings are
-	var rowStart = (table.tHead && table.tHead.rows.length > 0 ? 0 : 1);
+	// Skip the first row if that's where the headings are.
+	// Note: the THEAD element is not supported on Wikipedia. Uncomment the following line when support is added.
+//	var rowStart = (table.tHead && table.tHead.rows.length > 0 ? 0 : 1)
 
+	var rowStart = 1;
+
 	var itm = "";
 	for (var i = rowStart; i < table.rows.length; i++) {
 		if (table.rows[i].cells.length > column) {
@@ -661,7 +661,9 @@
 	}
 	span.innerHTML = arrowHTML;
 
-	ts_alternate(table);		
+	if (ts_alternate_row_colors) {
+		ts_alternate(table);
+	}
 }
 
 function ts_dateToSortKey(date) {