What's wrong with resurrecting old threads?

[kevdog]

I never understood the staff's discontent about resurrecting old thread -- particularly if the old thread is still relevant. Look at the Tutorial and Tips section. Many of those at the top of the list could be considered old -- meaning greater than 6 months old. What's the point of making a new thread about the same topic to say its a new post? Many of the old respondents in the old thread give useful insights in some cases. I guess I'm just a student of history. All history is old -- does that mean its no longer relevant?

[yabbadabbadont]

If your new post to an old thread is actually relevant, then they are less likely to close said thread. Especially if the topic of the thread still applies to current releases. Otherwise you will be burned at the stake for practicing black arts... :twisted:

[kevdog]

If your new post to an old thread is actually relevant, then they are less likely to close said thread. Especially if the topic of the thread still applies to current releases.

In my short experience in the forums, this has definitely not been the case -- hence the primary reason for this post!

[dmizer]

Moved to Forum feedback and help. Still in the christmas sprit I see ;)

I (we?) generally take that on a case-by-case basis. If the original thread is still relevant, and the new post adds content, then it's fine. But sometimes people post requests for help on old threads and will be unlikely to get responses.

There's also google search results to consider. A bumped thread will appear closer to the top of google (especially one that's had lots of previous discussion), and if the original post has old data, it could cause problems for people searching for answers.

[roharme]

Even i experienced in many forums

Some people purposely invoke old threads with a

**BUMP**

[pbpersson]

The administrators here have some fancy name for it as well.....they don't call it resurrecting, they say necro......something, I can't remember what.

This is great - a brand new thread to talk about old dead ones. :)

[dmizer]

The administrators here have some fancy name for it as well.....they don't call it resurrecting, they say necro......something, I can't remember what.

This is great - a brand new thread to talk about old dead ones. :)

Necromancing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necromancy) is not a term coined by this staff. It's commonly used in many forums.

[cariboo907]

We usually call it necroposting. As dmizer said if a post adds value to the thread, we leave it as it is. If it is a request for help, I create a new thread for the poster, because if I see a thread with more than 20 posts, I assume the question is well on the way to being answered, and the posters question may never even get looked at.

[aysiu]

I would much rather people post to existing threads than start a new thread on the same topic, unless it is a support thread.

Each support issue should have its own thread.

General discussions should not have multiple threads.

But, yes, any bump after a significant amount of time should offer something new and not just "me, too" or "I enjoyed reading this."

[KiwiNZ]

Its a case by case situation. In many cases the old threads have no or little relevance and the circumstances have changed.

[sirebral]

Its a case by case situation. In many cases the old threads have no or little relevance and the circumstances have changed.

Not in my last case. One for which I was warned for posting.

[kevdog]

If it is a request for help, I create a new thread for the poster, because if I see a thread with more than 20 posts, I assume the question is well on the way to being answered, and the posters question may never even get looked at.

Each support issue should have its own thread.

I guess I'm really confused -- and I'm not trying to pull anyone's leg here. The very fact that the new poster to an established thread is frankly too lazy to read the older established posts and replies -- is this the fault of the thread starter, or the person newly posting?

And aren't threads in the tutorials and tips section counted as support? It would seem thread lives in this particular section as tolerated much more than in other areas.

And as far as keeping in the Christmas spirit, I'm just trying to keep you guys honest and consistent. I've been around these threads along time -- longer than some of the moderators. I've fallen victim to this circumstance before as well as many other users. The policy of what is considered "old" and "irrelevant" in many cases is very ambiguous to me as well as some other users. I'm just asking for a clarification. So far the responses prior to this thread have helped me understand somethings. I thank the moderators for contributions.

[ajackson]

Not in my last case. One for which I was warned for posting.
Well your reply in the res centre isn't going to improve things is it?

Back on topic:
Is there a way to pop up a warning if someone tries to post to a thread that has been inactive for a certain time period? That might help some of the false positives from being reported, which can be the cause of confusion and some anger (again with reference to res centre thread).

[kevdog]

Not in my last case. One for which I was warned for posting.

Off topic --
Your F U response. Real classy and mature. Please don't bother responding to any of my threads until you adopt a more intelligent and adult demeanor. No one benefits from responses like that.