Old thread resurrections...

I don't so much blame new members, or anyone else... but you get a new guy on here that finds a 4 or 5 year old thread that he knows the answer to, he gets excited and posts.
He doesn't pay attention to the date of the thread, and next thing you know, no one else does either.
We are all trying to help someone with a problem they encountered years ago, and don't realize it. Sometimes longtime members don't even notice they posted an answer years before, and repost a similar answer.

We have all seen it.

I submit an idea that 12 months after the last post, a thread is locked to all but the owner of the thread. That way the owner can post results and updates of long term projects.

One could also argue that the post should be locked to all but members with posts in the thread as well... I wouldn't argue with that either.

It's generally folks that never posted in the thread, or new folks to the site, that miss the fact the thread is so old.
Folks that posted in the thread to begin with wouldn't be likely to make that mistake, because they would have to dig them up and would therefore understand the age of the thread... seeing as how it wouldn't show up on the 'new posts' page.

Just some thoughts.
Would keep some duplicitous posts from being put up and keep the discussions current, unless of course a long term project is being updated.

Also, the 'X' amount of time that is required to lock the thread would be 'restarted' upon the owner (or qualified members) posting an update.
So the thread wouldn't be locked out to other/new members at that point.

 

Or, we could do like some of the "old timers" and just post "do a search"...

Myself, I notice how you can do a search on most topics and find 20-75 threads that don't give the information you are looking for.

The example that I think you are referring to (P head spacers) was a decent resurrection, at least for those of us with P heads...

for one, it showed a fix that may not have been known in '05, plus, someone woke up and posted a new pic of a header that just might solve all of our problems.

So, for once, I disagree with ratio (sorry man, don't let it come between us )

If an old thread comes up and it has been beaten with a wet broom for years, just post a "do a search" for it. But if there is some chance for new information or technology, feed into it. As in this case, we just "might" have found a new set of headers that work with the P heads...

 

I've noticed that too and I agree with your idea ('hate to disagree with Scoop; 'hope it doesn't come between us)...

 

The thread in question for scoop wasn't so much what I was going for.
Yes, it was in the same catagory, but not nearly as intrusive as others I have seen lately.
Some have picked up as though the original poster was sitting in his garage for 4 years just waiting on that one magic reply to get him going.

 

Maybe some sort of warning could be generated, and pop up on the screen, when you attempt to respond to a post of a pre-determined age.

 

I like the pop-up warning. Something that flashes "This thread is over 6 weeks old!" or something.

I read them and respond and seldom even know it is an old thread....

Oh, wait, I am supposed to make some rude comment about how p1$$ed I am at you guys for picking on me...

 

I've caught myself doing that too. I'm sure we all have.
I like the popup idea myself.

 

i think threads on the forsale section should be deleated or locked after so long.

 

Maybe a 6 month limit could be put on a "for sale" item and then be deleted. Possibly a "last chance" automated email to the original author could be generated giving him a notice that it is about to be deleted. That way if he still had the item for sale he could re-list it.

 

That is probably a better idea than locking a thread.

Maybe the pop up could say something that tells the person about to post that:
The thread is old.
The original poster likely does not have the problem anymore.
Posts that are concise and constructive on the subject are welcome.
Updates are also welcome.
However, just to post some BS about how uncle joebob had the same problem, with no constructive text, are not welcome.

Another thing, the popup would have to work on the next couple of posters as well, or they will just see it in the new posts page and get caught up again.

 

I think I'll just wait 4 years to put my 2 cents in. Sometimes it entertaining, usually the guy only does it once. For sale should only run 4-6 months, then relist with a update.

 

Ban the person making you work!! J/K

 

Bump!

 

Good one