Suggestion to recognize old threads

[ForresterModern]

One of the things that bugs me and probably bugs a lot of other folks, is when we open up a thread with an interesting title only to find that there is a single (or maybe a couple) new posts on a thread that is often years old, and that someone dredged up probably through the search engine on a topic they were interested in and commented belatedly on. Not that there isn't a reason to do this sometimes, as occasionally a thread may need resurrecting when some new related development may have occured that is relevant to the old discussion. However, in my opinion there are far too many unrecognized "Lazarus'" threads popping up for one or two comments until someone (usually Panache) notes that it is an ancient thread and should be let die.

Is there some way the forum design could be modified so as to note next to the name of the original poster, under the title of the thread, the date of the original thread posting? In this way those who may see a thread they did not recognize could know it was an old thread, and save themselves the time of reopening it and possibly going through a significant number of posts before they realize themselves that it is an ancient thread. I know we can see the name of the most recent post author and the date/time that most recent post was made, so I assume the suggestion above is possible, and only a matter of effort and desire.

Just a thought.



Jeff :ootd:

[cavscout]

For what it's worth, you can also see the number of views and the number of responses to a thread.

2,000 views and 5 responses = not a very interesting old thread

Not trying to be a smart buttocks but since you didn't mention the view and response count, thought it might help.

[ChubRock]

As a newbie, I often get caught reading an old thread and respond without knowing it is an old thread. What is old to some is often new and interesting to others. However, I am trying hard to view the original thread and checking the day originally posted above the name of the original poster. Hope that helps for others.

[Panache]

The majority of the time the thread is reopened by a brand new member.

If that thread interested them enough to come and join X Marks the Scot.com then it is a good thing.

More often than not our members let the newbie know that the thread is old.

On occasion the new member has some interesting updates on the topic.

What we as experienced X Markers should do is take that moment to look at the dates. It is one thing for someone brand new to XMTS to make the mistake of not recognizing an old thread. It is another for our veterans to do the same.

No system is perfect and the easiest fix to help prevent Zombie threads from running amuck is to make sure that when you post you look at the dates of the thread.

Technology is great but every now and then we have to do things the right way ourselves

Cheers

Jamie

[Chas]

There is no reason why newbies should not read old threads. In fact it would probably be a good thing if they did and then got a feel for the tone of the forums. This would also give them an insight into who was a traditionalist or a modernist; those who speak with authority or those who are frivolous. There is a vast amount of valuable information in the old threads.

BUT

If a thread is over say 2 years old, it is really debatable whether anything else could be added of any benefit. I am saying 2 years, but I believe that most threads die naturally, long before the 1 year point is passed. Apart from religion and politics (which are banned) most peoples' opinions change on a regular basis because of outside influences (births, deaths, marriage, employment, wages, health, government, age). On the other hand, threads which ask for factual information (What is your job?, military service?, tartan?, clan?) can be added to forever.

THEREFORE

Would it not be possible to create an 'Admin Mod' whose job was solely and exclusively to tidy up the forums? He or she would not have to make any value judgments as to what was a good or bad thread and therefore not make any enemies.

The other Mods could still close and re-open threads as required and do all the modding that is needed. The 'Admin Mod' could add notes to a closed thread to explain the reasoning behind a closure. If there is a genuine reason for re-opening a thread , then it could be re-opened. The Mods would still have ultimate control, but all the cybersecretarial work would be done by the 'Admin Mod'.

This way all old threads would still be accessible and if a member wishes to add something new, they would have to start a new thread and then get the current thinking of the membership, rather than re-hashing old ideas and thoughts.

The other thing is that as long as a thread is open, then everything said, every opinion forcefully held, every stance taken must be defended by the original poster. Is it really fair to hold people to ransom, 2, 3, 4 years after the fact. Every member's situation has changed in that time - many not for the better. It really is not fair to force people into action for something they said a long time ago. I don't think that is the kind of people we are.

Far better to close down old threads. I am sure the majority of members will not realize that it is happening.

Regards

Chas

[ronstew]

You volunteering, Chas?

[george7]

Or there could be an automatic Time of Death for a thread. Say... 2 years max, 6 months inactivity.

[ForresterModern]

You could consider an archive for old threads---still available for pulling up and viewing but not for adding new posts to, and marked as an old archived thread up front when you pull it up on the search engine.

[Riverkilt]

Seems like the new members posting to ancient threads have gone to a lot of trouble to do so. Only way to find them is to go way back on the forums or to search.

When the search results come up they display the most recent threads first so even on the search engine the new member has to go way back on the search results.

Point being, the person resurrecting the old thread probably knows full well the thread is old. Hopefully, they have good reason.

There's a lot of solid information in old threads. Don't think the time the subject came up has much to do with the value of the information.

I've been amazed at the SIZE of this operation, how much information we do retain and keep available to members. Have often wondered why there's not someone to go through the old threads and delete all the "nice kilt" and short friendly posts and duplicate photos to save space on the system. Leaving the meat of the old threads of course.

Just for me, I'm not put off by the old threads being brought up if there seems a good reason. The old timer gruff response of "this is old' seems a bit unwelcoming to new members who usually mean well.

Ron

[ChubRock]

here, here! Unless it is a nice RIP message. Point taken without feeling blasted for being dense. My two cents.