Disabling Posts to Old Topics

AndyMA · Dec 23, 2004

( I think it would be a good idea to disable replying to posts after a certain time period, maybe 60 days. 

I don't think this is a good idea. )

Neither do I. Keep the posts open for ever. Another thought, keep the Editing option open for about 3 days. Many times I reread one of my posts and notice spelling errors. Then find that I can't fix them. Usually happens just after the time to edit has expired.

Andy

LBrown59 · Jan 11, 2005

an idea of "locking" threads (from additional posting) after a certain period (x months)
=============
The problem with this is it prevents someone with new ideas or solutions from passing on the information.
Also an old thread don't have to contain new info to be important to someone.
Burying old threads deprives newcomers of seeing info that may be of benefit to them.
Burying old threads can also result in a solution never being found.
Burying old threads causes scattered information which is detrimental to newbies.
Burying old threads can drastically reduce the exchange of ideas and solutions available.
Burying old threads favors older members over newer members.
Bringing older threads to the front causes far less harm than does griping about them making an appearance.

If I don't want to read something I simply don't read it.
I don't need and ignore button for that

PS
Just because you open a thread that don't mean you have to read it.

LBrown59 · Jan 11, 2005

We have a user now that likes to dredge up old posts after many months without adding any real value.

Value as determined by who? /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

twabscs

EDIT: fixed the font, removed bad brackets and fixed the color call

RobS · Jan 11, 2005

Buried old threads are available to everyone via the search feature at the top of the screen. Common "netiquette" sense is to keep old threads buried unless there is new, useful and relevant information to add /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

JerryG · Jan 11, 2005

Common "netiquette" sense is to keep old threads buried unless there is new, useful and relevant information to add 
I think that is the problem. Some bring them back with out any useful information being added.

MikePA · Jan 11, 2005

Common "netiquette" 
Common - Of or relating to the community as a whole
etiquette - rules governing socially acceptable behavior

In most communities, newcomers learn what socially acceptable behavior is by observing how longer term citizens of that community behave. Most, but not all, newcomers are eventually assimilated into the community, some quickly, others take longer. The ones that can't, or wont, learn what socially acceptable behavior is, typically leave for communities that have behavior norms they are more compatible with. If they remain, they are typically ostracized/ignored. Jane Goodall did fascinating studies of gorilla communities where this was observed.

TBN, like any other community, has its own socially acceptable behavior. However, since we're a virtual community, we do not have physical or verbal behaviors. Rather, TBNs behavior norms have to do with how messages are formatted, appropriate thread topics, etc., which are easier to observe, than the sometimes subtle behaviors in a physical community so assimilation is usually, but not always, quicker.

txdon · Jan 11, 2005

I have learned to look at the original post date when LB59 post. The problem is sometimes other people post after him and I miss that he has open an old thread. LB59 states that he is adding information. Sometimes he is and sometimes he is not. (who is mowing in January besides Daedong?) After being here a while I have noticed people come and go and LB59 sometimes is responding to someone who is no longer posting. LB59 some of the information you have to share would benefit us most in a new post, that way all information and posters are current.
Of course this is my opinion only, I just wish I wish, I wish...

The date of the original post would be on the Main Index page.

OkeeDon · Jan 12, 2005

I believe the date of the original used to be on the main index page; somewhere along the way as the guys behind this site worked their magic and made it faster, they also lost that information. The way I navigate the site, the original date is more valuable to me than the date of the last post, so I join in your wish.

To add to MikePA's excellent analysis, there are also some folks who deliberately do NOT want to be assimilated. They are starved for attention, and will garner that attention in any way they can, even by negative or undesirable actions. What is important to them is the attention, not whether it is an accolade. They have discovered, in the process of thousands upon thousands of posts, that negative behavior will result in them becoming "famous", or more approriately infamous, faster than appropriate behavior. There is little one can do with such individuals except ignore them or, in a moderated forum like this, ban them or delete all of their posts if they become too obnoxious or begin to upset too many people.

DUMBDOG · Jan 12, 2005

Don

The knowledge and information that one can get from this site never ceases to amaze me, even a thread such as this. I did a web search, but it was no help, had to get out a dictionary to look up the meaning of a word. Sure envy you guys with the power of usuage of the English language.