Locking Older Threads That Come Up

Beezer

Beezer

Well-known Member
On my other forum, old ghost threads that resurface are locked by the moderators. In many cases the participants in the thread are no longer around. I think it's kind of a good idea as many of our thoughts change over time...don't want to be pigeon holed for something you said years ago.

The topic can arise again, with a different take from different members.
 

One now defunct site I was a member of would periodically delete threads that were years old. Not sure how old, though maybe 4 years old.
This had the advantage of speeding up the site as well.
Sometimes when I am on a music thread site here, loading a page ca take up to a minute.
Let's face it, some threads have been around for years, with many thousands of posts.
Must take a lot of storage to accommodate all those posts.
 

On the Just repeating what I said earlier thread, Holly said:
"I've been here almost 13 years.. and I still don't mind giving help or advice to newbies... What I do mind is the same questions being asked over and over again..I wish people would do a search first to see if there's an existing thread on the topic before starting a new one.. and see if it's still relevant."
How does that sit with the sentiment of this thread? For what it's worth I agree with Holly, why start a new thread when the topic has not only been covered but still exists?
 
Bretrick said:
One now defunct site I was a member of would periodically delete threads that were years old. Not sure how old, though maybe 4 years old.
This had the advantage of speeding up the site as well.
Sometimes when I am on a music thread site here, loading a page ca take up to a minute.
Let's face it, some threads have been around for years, with many thousands of posts.
Must take a lot of storage to accommodate all those posts.
Click to expand...
That one .Mentioning no Bees.
I have loads of old threads here and on that other non-seniors place.
if someone wants to revive an old thread of mine please do so.
I rarely start one these days.
 
The Mods tend to do this on the horse forum I belong to, but they sometimes lock them too soon, especially those that have pertinent health information.

There was one the other day that was only 11 months old. A forum member (not even a mod) pointed that out, doubting its relevance. I commented it did have relevance, because I happened to have my own update.

Some older threads need saved but if toothbrushes are the topic, it’s delete-worthy.
 
George1959 said:
I'm not in favour of locking up old threads. It is always possible that somebody can give new insights.
Click to expand...
My feelings too (y)

I think it's interesting to see what opinions were when the thread was first posted. Sometimes there will be posts from members who passed away, often from before I joined the forum and, I like that they are still, in some way, a part of the forum. :)
 
I'm usually disappointed when I see a thread arise from years ago...but that's just me. I just enjoy current stuff more. But to each his own...or her own...or...they-own...

Oh Dear!
 
Beezer said:
I'm usually disappointed when I see a thread arise from years ago...but that's just me.
Click to expand...
It's not just you, Beez. A few from 12-13 years ago have been coming up. I don't know know most of the posters in those, and that's fine, but a week or so ago, a very old one came up and both Gaer and Ken had posted in it. Brought some tears.

When it comes to searching for the topic... well, if I search and the same question was asked a decade ago, I hope I'd be okay asking it again. Sure hope I wouldn't be scolded for something like that. What's annoying is the same question being asked soon after everyone's already answered it. And that's been happening lately, too... don't like that, but I've kept quiet about it. 'Nuff said.
 
Beezer said:
On my other forum, old ghost threads that resurface are locked by the moderators. In many cases the participants in the thread are no longer around. I think it's kind of a good idea as many of our thoughts change over time...don't want to be pigeon holed for something you said years ago.

The topic can arise again, with a different take from different members.
Click to expand...

Depends. I am active on one other forum, on it we discuss music. It can be a real pain to find out a thread has occurred on a given release, but has now been locked due to age. You're faced with duplicating the thread, or getting it unlocked.

Which leads me to moderation. From what I gather, the forum owner is very hands off. They don't want to have a constant need to interject with editing posts or other admin duties. Locking threads takes time. Unlocking them does too. So I think the current hands-off is a feature, not a fault. :)
 
Beezer said:
On my other forum, old ghost threads that resurface are locked by the moderators. In many cases the participants in the thread are no longer around. I think it's kind of a good idea as many of our thoughts change over time...don't want to be pigeon holed for something you said years ago.

The topic can arise again, with a different take from different members.
Click to expand...
I've addressed what I had said in very old threads that I now have a different point of view on. I think it's a good thing, shows we're all human and where we were coming from at the time. Lots of people obviously like to participate in thread which were created long before they joined, good to hear their views and opinions or experiences.
 
If I see a topic pop up that I’m interested in, I usually check the OP for the date it was posted. Sometimes the thread was time sensitive when it was posted , asking for advice about a current personal issue or the like.

Then someone revives it without realizing that their answer is no longer relevant.
 
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