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Zombie Threads

LRZ

By LRZ
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LRZ

LRZ

Posted
Posted

Is it possible (or desirable) to have threads locked automatically after X years, so they can't come back to life for new posts? Old threads can contain out-dated information, right? And why should someone have to sift through a lot of possibly irrelevant posts? If an issue comes up that was discussed years ago, start a new thread, with current information.

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maven
maven

Too bad there's no button for X% stupid posts.

Kevin_K
Kevin_K

If the revival of zombie threads was at the top of my list of concerns on social media I would consider my life charmed. Is this really a concern that makes any one unhinged? C'mon guys!

kylehutson
kylehutson

I don't know that the forum software would even have this capability (or why the author would add it without a specific request like this), but ideally, you could have an extra step in there that if a

maven

maven

Posted
Posted

I have a few additional criteria to propose:

  • any thread with more than 20 posts
  • any thread with a post by [redacted]
  • any thread with an answer in FAQ
Thunderheads

Thunderheads

Posted
Posted

I've already "locked" a couple of threads that have been resurrected from 2012 this morning.  I'm going to discuss this with Warren to see what we can do.   

It doesn't happen that often, so I don't think a major deal will be made of this, however, the points presented above are very valid.

@Umpire in Chief   ...........  thoughts?

Umpire in Chief

Umpire in Chief

Posted
Posted

I have mixed thoughts and could be persuaded either way...

  1.  We always ask people to use the search feature to find the answer to things which have been discussed before. 
  2. But seeing a VERY old thread resurface can be annoying too. 

What are your preferences? Please comment below.

kylehutson

kylehutson

Posted
Posted

I don't know that the forum software would even have this capability (or why the author would add it without a specific request like this), but ideally, you could have an extra step in there that if a thread has been over a year (or whatever) without a reply, you have to click a button that says you know this, and are resurrecting on purpose before it lets you type a reply.

Barring that...

I say leave it. It's not like it happens frequently. There have even been a couple of times I have intentionally re-started a previous thread (and made note of such in my response). And we should (if we don't already) have a "new members" section that mention this. (Not that it was a new member last night, but in general to keep the annoyances to a minimum.)

And for what it's worth I hadn't ever seen the resurrected threads from last night - they were from before I joined.

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LRZ

LRZ

Posted
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Posted

If it doesn't happen all that frequently, then no harm would arise from time bars. Locking an old thread would only prohibit new comments, not the thread's availability.

Search function? We might not know when or how often people use it, but we see when they don't, so this is, for me, an unsettled factor. Besides, the answer to a question that may have been correct in 2012, for example, may no longer be correct in 2019.

Obviously, I'm in favor, in part because there is enough dross on the internet without adding more: all too frequently, zombie threads are resurrected by posters who merely add their 2¢. 

Aging_Arbiter

Aging_Arbiter

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Umpire in Chief said:
  •  We always ask people to use the search feature to find the answer to things which have been discussed before. (Does this really happen?)
  • But seeing a VERY old thread resurface can be annoying too. (Agreed)

...........Maybe........a 30 day (after OP) lockdown?   60 day?

LMSANS

LMSANS

Posted
Posted

I would suggest 60 days.

Also, is there a way to  "this thread is closed. Would you like to open a new thread with a similar topic."? Then do a new thread command pre-title with XXXX-#. Where # is a sequence for this re-thread title. 

I'm not sure this makes sense :confused:

kylehutson

kylehutson

Posted
Posted

Can you make some threads permanently unlocked (thinking like "Mask Porn") if you turn on that feature?

Thunderheads

Thunderheads

Posted
Posted
10 minutes ago, kylehutson said:

Can you make some threads permanently unlocked (thinking like "Mask Porn") if you turn on that feature?

Agree.   Equipment threads that are "show and tell" and not a question, or inquiry could remain open, I'd assume

LRZ

LRZ

Posted
  • Author
Posted

No need to make the lock-up too quick. A year or maybe six months, I would suggest: there is a difference between killing a thread by cutting it off too soon and locking an "already-dead" zombie thread to stop it from coming back to life.

noumpere

noumpere

Posted
Posted
8 hours ago, maven said:

I have a few additional criteria to propose:

  • any thread with more than 20 posts
  • any thread with a post by [redacted]
  • any thread with an answer in FAQ

I'd add:

No gifs or pics (they rarely add anything)

No more than one post every x hours by any one person

kylehutson

kylehutson

Posted
Posted
2 minutes ago, noumpere said:

I'd add:

No gifs or pics (they rarely add anything)

No more than one post every x hours by any one person

dance shitting GIF by Motiongarten

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Kevin_K

Kevin_K

Posted
Posted

If the revival of zombie threads was at the top of my list of concerns on social media I would consider my life charmed.

Is this really a concern that makes any one unhinged?

C'mon guys!

  • Like 2
LRZ

LRZ

Posted
  • Author
Posted

No skin off anyone's nose (as my mother used to say) if threads are locked after the passage of some time. Zombie revivals are irksome. I may not be able to address the top of my social media concerns list, but a fix to this one is relatively easy. You know, kinda like "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

The Man in Blue

The Man in Blue

Posted
Posted
11 hours ago, Umpire in Chief said:

I have mixed thoughts and could be persuaded either way...

  1.  We always ask people to use the search feature to find the answer to things which have been discussed before. 
  2. But seeing a VERY old thread resurface can be annoying too. 

What are your preferences? Please comment below.


 

Can I let you know in a few years?

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yawetag

yawetag

Posted
Posted

Using the search function doesn't stop someone from finding old threads and reading them. It would just prevent them from commenting in it.

To me, this is the main reason to stop zombie threads from reappearing:

On 11/15/2019 at 8:06 AM, LRZ said:

Old threads can contain out-dated information

I would agree to a 1-year lock of threads. Warren, I don't know how well you can customize, but I would even suggest having a message at the top of all locked posts: "This thread has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Please be aware that due to updated rules and interpretations, the information provided in this thread may be outdated."

Mudisfun

Mudisfun

Posted
Posted

Another site I cruise though locks threads after 7-10 days of inactivity on that thread... really annoying when you do not visit daily and have something to add to the discussion.

I agree with @Kevin_K, is this really an issue to have to be concerned with?

  • Like 1
LRZ

LRZ

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yes. It is an irritant--minor to some, not to others. Even if it were considered minor, what's the harm in locking old, inactive threads? 

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