Idea to stop from Digging up old threads.

***Jeff*** · 11-06-2005, 11:47 AM

I have noticed recently that there have been threads in different forums that have been posted on that the topic is very old. I think sometimes this is due to people not knowing the date on the thread. I was visiting another forum and began to post in a reply in a thread when I noticed above the reply box it said something to the effect of "this thread is more than one month old. You might consider creating a new thread." I think this would be an effective way of stopping people from digging up ancient threads. Of course, this would not always apply because we don't want tons of threads on the same topic, but if it is a thread that has been inactive and it would make more sense to just leave it and start a new thread I think this could be an effective way to do this.

Just a thought.

The Doctor · 11-06-2005, 02:52 PM

It's an interesting idea. I think a warning message would be better.

Ray Jones · 11-07-2005, 04:53 AM

I don't think that would apply to all forums here at LF. For some threads time just runs slower. Or other threads are active for quite a long time.
Plus, it's pretty easy to look at the last post's date to know how 'outdated' the thread is.
And last but not least, one can easily set a filter to have only threads listed which are not older then xx days, weeks, whatever. This can also be preset in the User CP's options section.

However, a (warning) message just for posting in a thread older than a month is a bit too much, I think.

***Jeff*** · 11-07-2005, 05:55 PM

Well maybe I worded it incorrectly. What I meant was that there were no posts in a thread for over a month, not the thread had been around for a month. In my experience most threads that haven't been posted in in over a month need a new thread, but maybe it's different in the parts of LF I don't visit as often.

Ray Jones · 11-08-2005, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Moeller

Well maybe I worded it incorrectly. What I meant was that there were no posts in a thread for over a month, not the thread had been around for a month.

Well, maybe I worded it incorrectly, but that was what I was talking about, too.

Quote:

In my experience most threads that haven't been posted in in over a month need a new thread, but maybe it's different in the parts of LF I don't visit as often.

I would say it is okay to post in a thread where the last post was made more than a month ago as long as it still contributes to the topic of the thread. In some cases it even might be okay if way more time than a month has past. I think that is not really uncommon whereever you are at LF.

So in general, there should be no problem with digging up older threads and it surely doesn't happen that much to be an issue, and like I said before, if it contributes to the thread it should be fine. Plus a simple message wouldn't stop a spammer, if that's your concern.

If you don't like to post in such threads, you might consider to use the filter or simply taking care of the last post's date.

And finally, there's the brilliant team of mods, sup-mods and admins who love their job and generously will take care of any misbehaviour and unnecessary thread-diggin', rule of thumb hereby is described with the following formula:

((admin + bad hair day) - coffee) + you posting whereever = immediate deletion of your account

;D

Joshi · 11-08-2005, 04:29 AM

Some forums here are very slow (and by that I mean not that busy), sometimes, in those forums, if a thread hasn't been posted in in ovre a month, it's still ripe for posting in, I only tend to issu warnings after a good 6 month absence of posts in the MI Forums. Of course, as Ray Jones said, some forums are different. Depends on where you are really.

**Skinkie** · 11-09-2005, 08:18 AM

I think if there have been no posts in over a year it should issue an electircal shock through the keyboard if they try to reply to it.

Ray Jones · 11-09-2005, 09:27 AM

It will be applied to the "All hail for Skinkie's anniversary as our fearless leader" thread first.

**Skinkie** · 11-14-2005, 10:05 PM

I don't think that thread actually exists... you better get on it.

Commander Obi-Wan · 11-14-2005, 11:05 PM

I think that if a thread that is old and is posted on, and is still waiting for an answer. I think there wouldn't be a problem. But, if some bumps it or starts a new idea in it...then there's a problem.

RC-1162 · 12-09-2005, 06:43 AM

maybe you should think about putting some kind of symbol next to the thread name where the 'new post' symbols are located which can tell you how long it has been inactive. try using different colors to signify different durations of time.

Ray Jones · 12-09-2005, 08:29 AM

Why? Last posting date and user are shown in the thread list. That should do the math.

RC-1162 · 12-09-2005, 11:02 AM

sure, but not everyone looks at the date when they see some cool looking topic

Renegade Angel · 12-09-2005, 10:25 PM

What if the tpic could automatically close once it gets past a certain age?

90 SK · 12-13-2005, 04:07 PM

After a long period of inactivity (say, a year), maybe that would be a good solution. And if, for some reason, there is an update (or some significant reason why the thread should be unlocked), the user in need can send a PM to a mod, who can unlock the thread.

It could work. I don't know the logistics, but theoretically it would cut back on topic revival (the whole classic gaming forum would be gone within a few years

).

***Darth333*** · 12-13-2005, 04:21 PM

What about we just keep the actual system? Topic revival is not a big problem and doesn't occur too frequently. The needs and posting habits vary in each forum and I think it should be dealt with on a case by case basis. Sometimes, reviving an old thread can be justified and if it's not, we can erase the post or close the topic. If it's spam then...well you know what can happen

90 SK · 12-13-2005, 04:29 PM

You're right, of course. We don't have a serious problem, and there's no need to fix something that isn't broken. Whatever you guys feel like doing.