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Evan Thomas · August 11, 2010, 12:35 PM

Almost invariably, old threads are reopened by new members.

I just did a quick scout, and these were the first four reopened "necrothreads" I found. In two, the reopening was the person's first post; in one, the reopener had a post count of 2; the fourth was reopened by someone whose post count is given as 15, although he's been a member for a while...

started January 30, 2007
http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...9&postcount=32

started September 27, 2008
http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...1&postcount=10

started May 1, 2001
http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...2&postcount=27

started November 26, 2005
http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...1&postcount=22

I'm only semi-serious here, but what if the forum software could be tweaked so that members would only have "necrothread reopening privileges" after some minimum post count?

Sort of like the "For Sale/Wanted" forums?

Instead of seeing the message that says "Are you sure you want to reopen this thread?" they'd see one that says "No can do, Grasshopper... go, and post some more..."

I bet this would eliminate at least 95% of this.

Oh, and... I do like the new thread-dating arrangement.

August 11, 2010, 12:35 PM	#3
Evan Thomas Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 5,631	Almost invariably, old threads are reopened by new members. I just did a quick scout, and these were the first four reopened "necrothreads" I found. In two, the reopening was the person's first post; in one, the reopener had a post count of 2; the fourth was reopened by someone whose post count is given as 15, although he's been a member for a while... started January 30, 2007 http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...9&postcount=32 started September 27, 2008 http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...1&postcount=10 started May 1, 2001 http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...2&postcount=27 started November 26, 2005 http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...1&postcount=22 I'm only semi-serious here, but what if the forum software could be tweaked so that members would only have "necrothread reopening privileges" after some minimum post count? Sort of like the "For Sale/Wanted" forums? Instead of seeing the message that says "Are you sure you want to reopen this thread?" they'd see one that says "No can do, Grasshopper... go, and post some more..." I bet this would eliminate at least 95% of this. Oh, and... I do like the new thread-dating arrangement. __________________ Never let anything mechanical know you're in a hurry.