Suggestion Old threads

[bigjohn]

While i realize the value of keeping old threads viewable should they be open for new posts?

I don't know if it's possible but I would suggest locking threads after a set amount of time since the last reply. Nothing too restrictive, maybe lock threads that have had no replies for 4 years or something along those lines.

Sometimes I'll start reading a thread from the 'latest posts' list only to realize the subject had been resolved years ago.

 

[Tirilej]

I think that's a great idea John, but I would rather have it locked earlier.
One year would be enough really.

If someone find something interesting in an old thread it's easier to just post a link in a new thread, and we can all choose if we wants to read it from the beginning or not.

I have learned to always start looking at the date of threads I don't recognize, but I know everyone doesn't.

 

[Simmo!]

We mods discussed this recently but it's too much of a manual process unfortunately.

 

[The Dude]

We must have faith in our fellow members to resist necromancing old threads. I'll see if there are any new plugins for this, but I believe like Simmo mentioned it must be done manually - which of course is a bit time consuming.

 

[vinylweatherman]

The problem is that once done, it becomes a "recent post", and if you have picked up something from a link in "recent posts" or "threads updated since your last visit", you are going to expect it to be a recent issue, and the last post WILL be dated recently. An old thread will also appear to be a new issue, unless it's one you remember from years ago.

It's a shame that there is no plug-in to auto lock threads that meet a certain criteria.

Sometimes, the old thread never reached a conclusion, and the issue is still very much alive, so a new post is merely another example of a long unresolved issue. Members are also encouraged not to start a new thread if the issue is already under discussion, which it can appear to be when an old thread is resurrected.