Old threads and Cadets

[Beefer]

What's the deal lately? It seems that every third post by a cadet is on a thread that is older then dirt. Is it just me being crotchety, or does this annoy (probably a stronger word then I really want to use) others?

Mods - when replying to a post that hasn't had a post in over a certain amount of time (say 6 mos. to a year), is there, or could there be a 'warning' that pops up that says something like "This thread hasn't been replied to in over x period of time. Do you want to continue or would you like to start a new thread?" Not sure if it would help, but it's a thought. Hope this doesn't go against the rules about comments about the forums as a whole.

 

[Red_BOFUS]

Re: Old threads and Cadets

Maybe they found the place like I did, searching for info and reply in kind to that quest.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Old threads and Cadets

If your the OP and are doing an update to the thread to let everyone know how you made out, I see it as ok.

But nothing worse than reading 2 pages of thread not realizing it's a year old and the last post is from a newbie with a similar problem asking the OP how he made out when the guy/gal hasn't even been on the site since then.

 

[JB]

Re: Old threads and Cadets

What you are describing is called hijacking and it is not considered good forum manners.

Type 1 hijacking is interrupting a conversation about someone else's topic to take it over for your topic. This is really annoying and will usually get at least a comment from a moderator.

Type 2 hijacking is finding a long completed thread and trying to resurrect the conversation around your input or topic. This probably doesn't annoy people as much (except moderators) but is a very poor way to generate conversation on your topic. This also should get a comment from a moderator and will often get the thread closed. I found a 9 year old hijacked thread recently.

Most type 2 hijacks probably wouldn't happen if searchers would notice the dates on the threads they find.

Most type 1 hijacks are simple violations of courtesy.

 

[stic88]

Re: Old threads and Cadets

it took me a few days to realize where the original post date was. i just figured it out today.

 

[The Hammer]

Re: Old threads and Cadets

Well I was just reading a thread this evening were a poster asked a question and was told to look at the old threads because the question was asked before. I've seen that a few times since I've been on here. So what do you want us to do ask a question that been asked several times or read old posts and be quiet?

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Old threads and Cadets

The ideal thing would be to do a search on your problem first. You might find a similar thread or several, with several good answers to the problem and you save yourself the wait for everyone else to answer.

But the old threads should only be referenced. If you can't find what your looking for in the archives, then by all means start your own thread with your problem.

Everyone is on here to either learn something or help someone else.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Old threads and Cadets

The ideal thing would be to do a search on your problem first. You might find a similar thread or several, with several good answers to the problem and you save yourself the wait for everyone else to answer.

But the old threads should only be referenced. If you can't find what your looking for in the archives, then by all means start your own thread with your problem.

Everyone is on here to either learn something or help someone else.

What he said.

...and, if you solve the problem, even if it's 5 yrs later, I say post it, we want to know how a problem was solved.