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Plonker 3

Would it be possible for threads that haven't been posted in for a set period of time be locked?

seems there's quite a few that are being resurrected for no real reason.
 
6 months is kind of the figure I had in my head too. gives ample opportunity for anybody to reply with a genuine reply, and can still be found of anybody wants to.
 
Is it really that much of a problem? Maybe if someone is asking for help after a while they can be assumed not to need it any more otherwise they would have said, but there are a lot of topics which I think can quite happily be resurrected after a few years and still be valid - how often do we need a new 'neutrals at switches', 'exporting PME' or 'best van for an electrician' thread?
Automatically closing threads for no reason other than they're 'old' just seems like unnecessary nannying.
 
It is really irritating to see a thread appear in the new posts feed and it is just due to someone posting a nonsense few words at the end of a thread that has been dead for years.

Closing threads which have been inactive for 6 months would be a good thing, obviously not the same as closing any thread 6 months old.
 
I'm don't agree with this, why start a new thread when there is still a relevant old one.

A new guy comes a long and ask a question, "use the search" is a common a answer for common questions.

The OP then can ask his questions on the thread he has read.

Don't see the logic in closing old threads.
 
Well if that was he case, why do we get several threads a week asking about "exporting" PME, TT earthing etc, when there is already plenty of other places which could be referenced too?

every job is unique so it is easier and helps keep it clearer for one job one thread surely?
 
even if closed or locked, they're still there to be read. anyone who has questions about the subject of the thread can open a new thread.
 
This all seems to be based around the assumption that everyone comes here to ask a question, then someone gives them the answer.

The problem I envisage is if someone starts some project and asks advice on it, then wants to give an update a year or so later but finds they can't because it's been automatically locked because newbies had been resurrecting old threads.
Also I've been on computer forums which I've found after googling a problem, had a similar problem and I've really wanted to just post something like 'I've got the same problem. I've tried all that but it still doesn't work' without having to explain the problem again, and have everyone suggest all the possible solutions which I've already tried.

Maybe a suitable compromise could be if when a thread is started there is option to flag it as a 'question' which can then be locked after 6 months' inactivity?
Alternatively maybe the option at the end of a thread could redirect users to the new threads instead of similar previous threads?
 
Threads can be unlocked as well as locked, so if someone in a situation cam back they could request it be opened again. What usually happens though is some one will post a answer to thread that is over 3 years old, then others join in before realising that OP hasn't been online for over a year so pretty pointless leaving it open.

if some does have a similar situation why not just post a link to the thread if needed to explain, but very rarely does that happen on here.
 
yep I agree get them closed, I have fallen for it a few times of late and it is a pain when you read the freshest replies and dont realise, then you go back to the beginning without looking at the date.
 
Maybe those who are really bothered about the age of a thread should check the date of it before replying, and if they don't like it simply move on to the next one.
 
Adam W said:
...........Alternatively maybe the option at the end of a thread could redirect users to the new threads instead of similar previous threads?
Click to expand...
If you scroll right down below the last post on any thread you'll see a heading the says 'similar threads' and it gives you 5 or 6 links to other threads with similar tags or keywords. That's one way Dillb could have found this thread and bumped it rather than starting an identical new thread ;)
 
My 2p worth.... How about a "Library" for old and useful threads within the forum section which they belong?

The members select which ones, tell Admin and it gets posted up as a sub-forum. That will work.
 
Marvo said:
If you scroll right down below the last post on any thread you'll see a heading the says 'similar threads' and it gives you 5 or 6 links to other threads with similar tags or keywords. That's one way Dillb could have found this thread and bumped it rather than starting an identical new thread ;)
Click to expand...
That's the bit I'm on about - i reckon that's why most of the old threads are unintentionally resurrected.
 
Paul.M said:
Think of the Library as a sticky? It always there and members can post up a link to easily when the same question is asked????
Click to expand...
Fair enough, just not the way I do it. If I've got a daft question, I google it. Nine times out of ten, I get re-directed to the forum, get my question answered, and enjoy a couple of pages of some poor sod getting ripped a new one.
 
moospark said:
Fair enough, just not the way I do it. If I've got a daft question, I google it. Nine times out of ten, I get re-directed to the forum, get my question answered, and enjoy a couple of pages of some poor sod getting ripped a new one.
Click to expand...


Do you want education or entertainment?? In a selected Library chosen by long established members, you will have access to threads that are debated a lot of the time. If you want a bit of fun, go to the chit chat room.
 
Paul.M said:
Do you want education or entertainment?? In a selected Library chosen by long established members, you will have access to threads that are debated a lot of the time. If you want a bit of fun, go to the chit chat room.
Click to expand...
Both, If I want purely education, I have lots of solemn books, where I know most of the words. if I want purely entertainment, I like fishing and playing guitar.
 
moospark said:
Both, If I want purely education, I have lots of solemn books, where I know most of the words. if I want purely entertainment, I like fishing and playing guitar.
Click to expand...

Books are great. Why are you still using a google search if you already have the answers? Just looking at the banter are we??? Please continue with useless posts upon this thread that is discussing the running of the forum.

Let the true members of the forum make the suggestions. Your attempt at humor has not entertained us.
 
Paul.M said:
Books are great. Why are you still using a google search if you already have the answers? Just looking at the banter are we??? Please continue with useless posts upon this thread that is discussing the running of the forum.

Let the true members of the forum make the suggestions. Your attempt at humor has not entertained us.
Click to expand...
Actually love the banter. Sorry, what is a 'true member of this forum". Also, "not entertained us", as in the royal 'We' or 'you'? Nobody else seems to be slagging me?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
moospark said:
Sorry, what is a 'true member of this forum". The forum Dictionary of the meaning = A person that has been a good contributor of a collective professional group which adds to the forum and not take the Part P.



Also, "not entertained us",or 'you'. Nobody else seems to be slagging me? "You" (aka me) nothing has been said by me? I just hear the groans of the True Members reading your posts on this thread. If you dont have anything to say constructive, dont say anything.
Click to expand...

What are your actual bullet points upon this topic? Post them up and it will be debated. Everyone's views are looked at. Post yours up.
 
moospark said:
Ho'way, am from Gateseed, me brotha's me uncle y'naa.
Click to expand...

Or Wigan lol. (Rugby league joke :wink: and waiting for the backlash)

Everything is fine in the world Mr Moo but what are we all thinking about Old Threads?

A web search will still bring them up, just cant post on them. If anyone needs to ask a question they start a new thread about their own personal problem (sounds a bit like embarrassing bodies tv program lol) and we will all help them.

This a bit of a weird topic but it is something that will change the way we all look and use the forum. It really is down to the members to discuss this and we will all take it from there. Your choice at the end of the day, it's up to you.
 
I often use the links to similar threads but don't tend to 'resurrect' them. I have read threads that I thought were fresh on activity stream, but have learnt to check (95% of the time!). Rather than close them, could you not have a visual aid, e.g. link not blue as per normal. That way everyone can choose whether to open it up or not.
 
Some threads that get re-erected that make me laugh is the one's where someone who has posted that xxxxxxx are recruiting electricians then some Muppet comes on 3-4 years down the line and asks are they still recruiting, by which time the job has been completed.
 
ian.settle1 said:
Some threads that get re-erected that make me laugh is the one's where someone who has posted that xxxxxxx are recruiting electricians then some Muppet comes on 3-4 years down the line and asks are they still recruiting, by which time the job has been completed.
Click to expand...
You laugh, but that's what recruitment consultants do. I get emails from some of them asking is I'm still looking for work, sometimes 4 or 5 years after I registered with them. It's not uncommon for someone looking for work to contact an employer speculatively in case they need anyone else but these people seem to have you down as 'once a jobseeker always a jobseeker'.

This situation could be avoided if the employer came back and said when the position had been filled, then the thread could have been closed.
Again, maybe this kind of thread could be started with a 'validity period' so it automatically closes after a certain period or period of activity, but I think there are plenty of discussions which can quite happily be reopened after any amount of time without the need to start a new thread and recover old ground.
 
I know on the plumbing forum the employment threads are immediately closed as soon as they're made. If people want to apply they must PM or email if an email address was given. Problem is though if the thread is immediately closed nobody can update to say the position has been filled and nobody can ask for further info on the job offered.

I see it as swings and roundabouts TBH, for every advantage there's a disadvantage.
 
Or Cockburn threads / Let's bring all his threads back to life, it is friday after all!
 
Marvo said:
I know on the plumbing forum the employment threads are immediately closed as soon as they're made. If people want to apply they must PM or email if an email address was given.
Click to expand...
I seem to remember that used to happen here - "PM the OP for further details".
 

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