Limit New posts on year old (or more) threads

[masotime]

It is incredibly annoying when a newbie replies to an old thread which is no longer relevant.

To limit this activity, I would like to suggest the following:

• Only a member with 200 posts or more be allowed to make a new post on an old thread (1 year+) and/or
• Issue a warning asking for confirmation to post in an old thread with information on how many years old the most recent post is.

Context: This post by @goshindoman

 

[Scepticalscribe]

It is incredibly annoying when a newbie replies to an old thread which is no longer relevant.

To limit this activity, I would like to suggest the following:

• Only a member with 200 posts or more be allowed to make a new post on an old thread (1 year+) and/or
• Issue a warning asking for confirmation to post in an old thread with information on how many years old the most recent post is.

Context: This post by @goshindoman

But some topics are timeless, and can be fresh even if raised every year or so.

Moreover, newbies - who usually do not know their way around, and cannot be expected to do so without some support and some sort of guidance from older hands - are often directed - sometimes quite brusquely - not to make new threads but to use already existing threads - which they often do not know exist, and apologetically use when they are directed towards such a thread - to make a point that many already have been raised some time earlier.

 

[masotime]

Then implement the second option only. Give a heads up warning so that the newbie is aware of the fact that the thread may be stale, but still allows posting.

But some topics are timeless, and can be fresh even if raised every year or so.

Moreover, newbies - who usually do not know their way around, and cannot be expected to do so without some support and some sort of guidance from older hands - are often directed - sometimes quite brusquely - not to make new threads but to use already existing threads - which they often do not know exist, and apologetically use when they are directed towards such a thread - to make a point that many already have been raised some time earlier.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Then implement the second option only. Give a heads up warning so that the newbie is aware of the fact that the thread may be stale, but still allows posting.

But - and here I am mindful of the many posts - almost abrupt, and often quite brusque - almost to the point of rudeness - that snarl at newbies to use a thread that had already discussed a particular topic, rather than start a new one.

If, on top of that, a newbie was to receive a message 'this thread is dead, but still allows posting' - I daresay that many might feel themselves less than welcome to the forum.

Given that 90% of members make - literally - a handful, or fewer, posts, anything which serves to make newbies feel unwelcome trespassers is not something I'd feel hugely comfortable with.

Either kill old threads, - and allow newbies to start a new thread on something that has already been discussed - or direct them to old threads but without issuing a health warning as to the status of the thread. Not both.

 

[masotime]

If, on top of that, a newbie was to receive a message 'this thread is dead, but still allows posting' - I daresay that many might feel themselves less than welcome to the forum.

I will admit I was pretty rude myself in that thread, but not IMO without cause. However, there is no reason to have messaging that is "unwelcome".

A simple message like: "You are replying to a thread which is 4 years old. Are you sure you want to post this message?" with buttons like "Review thread again" is perfectly friendly and, in my opinion, not "unwelcoming" at all. At the same time this will actually reduce "90% of members" making posts that make newbies feel like unwelcome trespassers because they will not make errors like this.

For example, in the thread I mentioned as an example, I'm very sure that the newbie wouldn't have posted in the thread if he realized his error. In addition, you'll notice that despite my "snarl" in that thread, the newbie has happily gone to other threads where he has posted more relevant information.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I will admit I was pretty rude myself in that thread, but not IMO without cause. However, there is no reason to have messaging that is "unwelcome".

A simple message like: "You are replying to a thread which is 4 years old. Are you sure you want to post this message?" with buttons like "Review thread again" is perfectly friendly and, in my opinion, not "unwelcoming" at all. At the same time this will actually reduce "90% of members" making posts that make newbies feel like unwelcome trespassers because they will not make errors like this.

For example, in the thread I mentioned as an example, I'm very sure that the newbie wouldn't have posted in the thread if he realized his error. In addition, you'll notice that despite my "snarl" in that thread, the newbie has happily gone to other threads where he has posted more relevant information.

Actually, I didn't read the thread you linked; I merely confined myself to replying to you - and the points you raised which are valid ones - in this thread.

 

[maflynn]

Why change the forum software for an action that is quite rare? I mean given all the posts that are created on an hourly basis, a necro'd thread in the scheme of things is pretty rare.

Instead of over complicating the forum software for something that is uncommon, or create an environment that impedes members from posting, why not just help and/or direct him to a better thread instead of railing against him for posting to an old thread?

A couple of points to consider, we expect members, new and old alike to search for an existing thread to post a questions, with that emphasis on searching we cannot now tell them they cannot post to something they felt was the correct thread. Given that Samsung has two products that are called the same thing, its quite conceivable any member, new or old, could have necro'd that thread mistakenly.

 

[masotime]

Why change the forum software for an action that is quite rare? I mean given all the posts that are created on an hourly basis, a necro'd thread in the scheme of things is pretty rare.

Hmmm... I have seen it happen more frequently than I'd have liked. It is also distracting because it takes some time to realize that it's not a relevant thread anymore. In particular, any thread that is 2 years or older is extremely unlikely to be relevant.

Instead of over complicating the forum software for something that is uncommon, or create an environment that impedes members from posting, why not just help and/or direct him to a better thread instead of railing against him for posting to an old thread?

Sure, I admit I overreacted in the thread and have apologized as such, but more importantly, instead of having to redirect the user, simply make it difficult for issue to happen in the first place. If there had been a warning that the thread is at 2 years old, it is an immediate signal to the newbie that it can't be about the Note 8 phone, but the Note 8.0 tablet, and they would have continued their search elsewhere.

A couple of points to consider, we expect members, new and old alike to search for an existing thread to post a questions, with that emphasis on searching we cannot now tell them they cannot post to something they felt was the correct thread. Given that Samsung has two products that are called the same thing, its quite conceivable any member, new or old, could have necro'd that thread mistakenly.

It is indeed conceivable that any member could have made that mistake - in fact I actually made that mistake myself, but if you put a warning dialog just before someone posts, then even an regular member would realize their mistake, and would continue the search.

Again, if we ignore my first suggestion, I see no reason why my second suggestion is a bad one:

• Issue a warning asking for confirmation to post in an old thread with information on how many years old the most recent post is.

There is no reason this has to be "unwelcoming" and will improve the quality of the forum overall. Set a limit to 2 years to display the warning. I find it difficult to believe that, unless it is the OP, it is extremely unlikely that anything positive can be contributed to a thread that has seen no replies after 2 years.

 

[Plutonius]

It is incredibly annoying when a newbie replies to an old thread which is no longer relevant.

To limit this activity, I would like to suggest the following:

• Only a member with 200 posts or more be allowed to make a new post on an old thread (1 year+) and/or
• Issue a warning asking for confirmation to post in an old thread with information on how many years old the most recent post is.

Context: This post by @goshindoman

Many newbies come to MacRumors with a specific question that is often answered in an older thread.

They then add to the thread.

 

[maflynn]

Again, if we ignore my first suggestion, I see no reason why my second suggestion is a bad one:

Because it requires modification of the forum software that may not be easily done,
Secondly you're recommending a solution to what I don't think is a problem. If a thread that is resurrected bothers you, just scroll on by.
Thirdly the warning as you call it can be off putting to new members. I'd rather be welcoming to newer members and answer their question rather than castigate them for posting in an old thread.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Many newbies come to MacRumors with a specific question that is often answered in an older thread.

They then add to the thread.

Exactly.

Because it requires modification of the forum software that may not be easily done,
Secondly you're recommending a solution to what I don't think is a problem. If a thread that is resurrected bothers you, just scroll on by.
Thirdly the warning as you call it can be off putting to new members. I'd rather be welcoming to newer members and answer their question rather than castigate them for posting in an old thread.

Agree completely with you, and well expressed.

 

[Juicy Box]

I sometimes wonder if the people complaining of people posting on old threads, are the same people complaining that people are creating new threads, without searching for existing threads with their issue/comment.

I rarely, maybe never, add on to an old thread, but I personally don't think it is a problem. Especially if it adds useful information that might help someone in the future.

Also, sometimes the solution to problems are not posted in threads, and someone else may have a solution and want to post it, or they just want to find out if someone has found a solution, but have not posted it yet.

I honestly find it more annoying when people jump on a poster for adding on to an old thread, without addressing the issue that the poster was asking. It is basically a pointless post that doesn't help anyone involved.

It is incredibly annoying when a newbie replies to an old thread

I never understood why this bothered people. Would you mind explaining why this is a problem? You have posted a lot of potential solutions, but I don't really understand why this is a problem that needs to be fixed.

In other forums, I have seen comments saying that the original poster in the thread may not be around anymore to reply, or that information may have changed since the threads creation. I guess this might be true, but still, how does this negatively impact anyone involved in the thread?

If it bothers someone that much, just don't reply to it.

It is also distracting because it takes some time to realize that it's not a relevant thread anymore.

It takes literally seconds to see when the thread was originally posted.

Also, what is not relevant to you, might be relevant to the person posting, other people in the thread, or maybe someone that has not seen the thread yet.

 

[alphaod]

Just unsubscribe from the old threads.