New members, old threads.

Pretty sure this bothers the majority of us, but we've been getting a lot of new members (which is good) that are posting in 10 year old threads or maybe older.
I think these threads should get locked after a set amount of years or so. Nothing is more annoying having a thread from 10 years ago with a member saying something along the lines of "I love this game" "I used to own this" "how much for blahblah item?" and so on. After all, we are trying to reduce the amount of new members speed posting to 50 for the sales thread. I understand mistakes can happen though.

I believe old threads should be used for information/reading only since the discussion has been dead for years. I don't see the harm in new members creating a new thread about the same or similar topic. There is some negative points along with auto locking threads, but I guess if new member has extra information that really requires the old thread to be re-activated, then a PM to a mod should just about do it.

So here's the question; should 5+ year old threads be automatically locked?

 

A great idea! If anyone has something to say they can make a new thread!
Especially on the buy / sell threads... some good laughs there at times though! :congratulatory:
I'm actually surprised that this doesn't happen already automagically!

 

I don't know with more general/information threads, as maybe something related to certain thread resurfaces (a thread about some beta, whatever), but I totally agree with the sales threads, it's terribly annoying when they bump a 5-6 year old sale thread and you go in there and get your hopes up and then see it's a damn 6 y/o thread u__u

 

What would be great is an auto-lock, but an automated way to request an unlock. I'll explain: A thread about the holy grail is 5 years old, and so locked. Someone finds the holy grail in a pile of unholy grails and want to post it in the holy grail thread. He does but the post doesn't appear until approved by a mod.

This would stop grave digging for "unserious" posts, ala "lol great", but allow pertinent posts if such thing can be.

 

Lock them a certain way so If the op wants to reopen it he or she has that ability.

 

locking threads is silly, people can add information to them. Its only annoying when someone comes in and posts something dumb - like asking how much on a 5 year old sale thread.

 

Agree with Bad_Ad, plus, whats the harm in someone bumping an old topic if it pertains exactly to what they were gunna say? Sounds better than creating an entire new thread to me (which then has two threads sitting around on the same topic, instead of one). The only use locking like this would have would be dead marketplace threads only.

 

Don't lock them... people come back time to time and add valuable information...

What I find works well (seen it on other forums)... before the post goes through, a pop-up comes up saying "are you sure, because this thread hasn't had a new reply in X years" - people then sit there and think otherwise.

That way, it will help curb unnecessary posts, but won't limit older threads from having new information added - I much prefer reading one thread that is definitive on a topic than multiple threads repeating the same stuff...

 

Locking an old thread is a crazy idea (unless it's a sales one). I have no problem with people bumping old thread. Their post may contain new information or even remind me of something I had forgotten all about (which happened recently). I agree that bumping an old thread with comments such as "this game is awesome" are pointless but most of the time bumps can be useful and start new discussion for newer members who didn't know about the info contained in the thread.

 

This is a great idea! A nice big flashy warning, can we add animated GIFs with warning sirens too? I'd like to see that! :congratulatory:
I guess everyone is right about the general info threads. I must admit I tend to create new threads to address my own issues.
Then again, some of my issues are a little more unique than others I suppose.

 

x

 

This.

 

making a new thread just to reference the old one seems a bit of a waste to me, information, positions, links and situations change over time, new thread = discussing everything again, pulling up old thread = everything that has already been covered + new information in the same thread for easy reference when the next new guy or search comes along.

personally i dont see why anyone would have an issue with an old thread resurfacing, who does it hurt?

 

It was majority of the sales thread I was on about. I guess maybe certain sections this should be applied to. I understand about the Downloads, and beta discussions, but mainly the sales thread it should be done.

Good that some have had a say in this

 

http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?45607-Chimp-2618&p=669408

Like that thread? Why bother closing that one?

 

I could reopen it haha

 

It was closed because the member sent me a PM saying he completed it. Since the thread was answered a few times no need for it to be open with people repeating the same answer

 

he asked if it worked etc on certain revisions, its certainly possible someone else could post useful information.

There is no need for it to be closed, at all. Just because the op did what ever he was doing - doesnt mean someone else couldnt have a similar question or information that contradicts whats posted. Lets say that thread is wrong and it doesnt work on them all - if it wasnt locked someone could correct it. When it locked, they cant - someone could find that thread, act on it and not bother looking for the new thread with the correct information.

 

should be auto- locked but with the op´s option to unlock it again.

 

Honstly 5 years sounds to long. If the thread contains information that is usefull & whoever posted it is still around willing to add any further contribution to it then thats fine,leave it be. If the thread is like some random hey look at this sort of thing,then lock it after 1 year at maximum. If its a for sale or wanted thread lock it or close the thread after 30 days unless seller/buyer states its still for sale or they still want something. I havent been here long but i have some replies to thread from years ago,bit ridiculous really.