Old threads

[bowman]

Please refrain from replying to old threads. In some cases, the OP is no longer active. In others, the posting has older information that has been surpassed.

I'm encouraging you to search and read these older posts, I'm simply asking to not reply to them. Thank you.

 

[Henry W]

Please refrain from replying to old threads. In some cases, the OP is no longer active. In others, the posting has older information that has been surpassed.

I'm encouraging you to search and read these older posts, I'm simply asking to not reply to them. Thank you.

Neal - some definitions are in order here.
What does 'old ' mean in this context? Yes I am serious.

 

[bowman]

Neal - some definitions are in order here.
Wha does 'old ' mean in this context? Yes I am serious.

Great question @Henry W, I should have added that criteria. In my opinion, anything older than 1 year should constitute an old thread, as a general rule.

In the For Sale/Wanted forum, I would say anything older that 60 days should be considered 'old'.

I am looking at some options that will automatically close posts that exceed out defined thresholds, at what limits we set are still up for discussion. I think we did have that before we migrated to the current forum platform.

 

[tri4sale]

Please refrain from replying to old threads. In some cases, the OP is no longer active. In others, the posting has older information that has been surpassed.

I'm encouraging you to search and read these older posts, I'm simply asking to not reply to them. Thank you.

I don't see a problem with old threads being resurrected, maybe the OP is no longer active, but many threads have more info and impart knowledge to others besides the OP, and sometimes new comments are helpful even if the thread is dated.

Except for for sale posts, if an item hasn't sold in 90 days since the last post (here's looking at you BUMP posts) , I'd say lock the thread.

 

[Martin Roper]

At my age a year ago seems like yesterday.

 

[Henry W]

I don't see a problem with old threads being resurrected, maybe the OP is no longer active, but many threads have more info and impart knowledge to others besides the OP, and sometimes new comments are helpful even if the thread is dated.

Except for for sale posts, if an item hasn't sold in 90 days since the last post (here's looking at you BUMP posts) , I'd say lock the thread.

Same for me - resurrected old threads are a great source of info. And i'm uncertain exactly how renewing their activity hurts, but I'm not wanting to be argumentative so I will refrain.

 

[tvrgeek]

And some old threads are actually relevant and current users like to continue the same conversation as the historical posts are valid even if the OP is not. Not that much has changed in technology or technique in the last 500 years. Technique? make that 3000 years.

 

[beloitdavisja]

If I remember correctly, the old system did lock threads, but the OP or Admins were able to re-open them.

My experience seeing old threads resurrected is that the discussion becomes cyclical as some respond to the original post as new, and all the same points/recommendations are re-made. Not always, but that's what I tend to see.

If there is a question about an old thread, one can always create a new thread and link to the old one as a frame of reference.

I would like to hear what options Neal finds.

 

[Henry W]

From my perspective, asking users to comply or even understand this initiative is too onerous, especially new users.

Wouldn't it be better to 'Auto-close' posts to further responses at the point of being too old, with the message that these are here for searching and that new posts to discuss that topic ought to start a new post (and maybe refer or autolink(?) to the 'old-closed-for-comment post).

Again I'm not trying to create big drama or discussion, I can live with this just fine. From my view at least the age or date of the post is NOT something that many users look at or recognize (maybe most often in the 'for-sale' sections)

 

[beloitdavisja]

Wouldn't it be better to 'Auto-close' posts to further responses at the point of being too old, with the message that these are here for searching and that new posts to discuss that topic ought to start a new post (and maybe refer or autolink(?) to the 'old-closed-for-comment post).

I think that's what Neal looking at. Thread is viewable, but is not open to new replies. This is what the old system did, and the OP could re-open the thread if they so choose. I think having some sort of option to "fork" (to use a programming term) the thread into a new thread is a good idea. The options available for XenForo might be limited, however. We'll see what Neal can find.

I would hope any automation added could display why a thread was closed. I think that's what you're getting at. I know in the old system there were occasionally questions about "why can't i respond to this thread?" when it had been closed due to age. (As an aside, if there could be some what to display why a user can't post in For Sale, and how/when they will gain permission to do so, we may get less questions about that.)

Again I'm not trying to create big drama or discussion, I can live with this just fine. From my view at least the age or date of the post is NOT something that many users look at or recognize

No drama! I think this is a healthy discussion to get differing viewpoints on the issue, and appreciate reading your opinions.

 

[bowman]

Thread is viewable, but is not open to new replies. This is what the old system did, and the OP could re-open the thread if they so choose.

This is what i was trying to convey. The posts will not be deleted or removed from views or searches. They would be locked from additional comments being made. As James stated, the OP or a moderator/admin could unlock the thread if required.

An automatic script would run each night to process posts which would fall into the parameters we set. There is an addon available to use within the Xenforo platform that would handle this task for us. I'm still running down the details to see if there can be multiple timelines or if all designated forum nodes would be subject to the same rule. For example, can we set posts in the general woodworking mode to lock after 365 days while the for sale node is set for 90 days.

 

[bowman]

I just confirmed with the author of the addon it does not support multiple time frames.