Resurrecting old threads

NaughtiusMaximus · 31 December 2018 at 5:28PM

Periodically an old inactive thread on MSE is resurrected, in virtually every case the post either adds nothing to what's been said earlier, or should really be a new thread in it's own right.

Does the software behind the forum provide the functionality to automatically close threads which have seen no posts for a certain amount of time (maybe 12 months), and if so could this be implemented?

Browntoa · 31 December 2018 at 5:35PM

There is a process of locking old threads , I'm not sure of the threshold or if it's automatically done

PDC · 31 December 2018 at 5:49PM

From what I've seen its automated spam posts mostly, these generally get removed in a day or two and the thread disappears again - That is unless another member posts something about 'You do know this thread is two years old...' followed by someone else posting without realising its an old thread, and then someone else, which then means the thread comes up again in the new posts section

I did wonder about the closed threads thing though as I've wanted to post a follow up to something in older threads myself a few times but normally I've found I can't as the threads are closed.

Browntoa · 31 December 2018 at 5:52PM

I'll personally lock old threads if they become "spam magnets"

I think sometimes the robotic scripts send up on particular boards and threads

JCS1 · 31 December 2018 at 6:46PM

Browntoa wrote: »

There is a process of locking old threads , I'm not sure of the threshold or if it's automatically done

There was an 8 year old one resurrected on the Old Style Forum the other day, which implies the process needs reviewing.

joansgirl · 31 December 2018 at 11:27PM

I thought they automatically got locked after 2 years of inactivity but it must have changed if an 8 year old one was posted on.

[Deleted User] · 2 January 2019 at 12:24AM

I've seen one or two old threads recently, one I think was well over two years old, perhaps if people see them they should recommend that the new poster starts their own thread and then points out the resurrected thread to the relevant BG?

john539 · 2 January 2019 at 5:19PM

NaughtiusMaximus wrote: »

Periodically an old inactive thread on MSE is resurrected, in virtually every case the post either adds nothing to what's been said earlier, or should really be a new thread in it's own right.

Does the software behind the forum provide the functionality to automatically close threads which have seen no posts for a certain amount of time (maybe 12 months), and if so could this be implemented?

It does not matter that old threads are resurrected.

Old threads with no new posts are automatically locked after 2 years.

Unfortunately MSE decided to implement system which locks threads which is unnecessary, because a few pedantic people cannot handle shock of seeing an old thread.

There are plenty of reasons why it can be useful to post to an old thread.

The fantastic thing about MSE is that it has maintained the old forums and threads back to beginning.

Former_MSE_Andrea · 7 January 2019 at 1:40PM

Thanks for the question!

Old threads are currently locked after a set number of months' inactivity.

An exception to this is threads that are linked to in Martin/MSE curated books e.g., Thrifty Ways for Modern Days based on the Old Style board.

We do want to encourage engagement on the Forum so provided posts on old threads are genuine and meaningful that's fine.

Andrea

Resurrecting old threads

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