Auto-Locking Threads

Brian Pfleuger · August 17, 2009, 12:12 PM

I wonder if it would be possible, and if so beneficial, for threads to auto-lock after a period with no posts? A fairly long period, 2 years, maybe 1 year, maybe 3?

I figure it might keep long dead, no longer useful threads from being resurrected. If someone has something current they can start a new thread wherein they may get some participation. If they don't have anything worth creating a new thread, well, it's probably not worth resurrecting a 2 or 3 or 8 year old thread either.

hogdogs · August 17, 2009, 12:50 PM

IMO only, It would be a negative... when I joined I noticed folks getting chided for starting a thread as repetitious and told "had you done a search...." so a person searches, then finds an 8 year old thread but still has a touch of question, why not post it there?
I figure let them zombie threads live. But not the zombies scenario threads...
Brent

**Mal H** · August 17, 2009, 01:16 PM

IMO, an autolocking feature would be an excellent one. If it existed, I would personally already have it turned on. tyme added a "are you really, really sure you want to post in this very old thread" question to old threads that a member has to check off in order to reanimate them. That helped a lot, but a handful of old threads pop up every week.

While hogdogs brings up a very valid point, I feel there is an obvious and very easy solution.

Doing a search for info is always a good practice, and chastising those who don't is often valid if done in a polite manner. However, there is no need to resurrect a very old thread just to add your own flavor of the question. Either your quest for info was completely satisfied by the info in the old thread, or it wasn't. If the latter, then a new thread should be started with a specific question. The old thread can and should be linked as a reference. But, bringing back the old thread with a question at the tail end is both confusing to the general membership and doesn't help the person trying to find new info. Invariably members will start out answering or commenting on the first few posts that are now several years old (and the OP is often not even visiting our site any longer).

stargazer65 · August 17, 2009, 04:25 PM

I actually like the necrophilia threads. It's funny to read when someone inadvertantly posts an answer to a thread that's really, really old and then everyone else starts jumping on the bandwagon as if it's a new topic.

Brian Pfleuger · August 17, 2009, 04:51 PM

I just did a little search of my own, there is actually a mod for vBUlletin that allows auto-locking.

(I know how you guys don't do the "unofficial" mods, but it is out there.)

hogdogs · August 17, 2009, 05:44 PM

we need an auto lock for all posts by peet unless he buys me a bottle of hooch once a month... MY CHOICE

Brent

Brian Pfleuger · August 17, 2009, 08:23 PM

I do seem to be getting on peoples bad sides lately...

stargazer65 · August 18, 2009, 06:09 PM

It's pigpile on peet week, I guess you didn't get the memo.

Brian Pfleuger · August 18, 2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

It's pigpile on peet week, I guess you didn't get the memo.

I did NOT get that memo! Thanks for filling me in! I'm glad the week is almost half over. Geesh.

August 17, 2009, 12:12 PM	#1
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Auto-Locking Threads I wonder if it would be possible, and if so beneficial, for threads to auto-lock after a period with no posts? A fairly long period, 2 years, maybe 1 year, maybe 3? I figure it might keep long dead, no longer useful threads from being resurrected. If someone has something current they can start a new thread wherein they may get some participation. If they don't have anything worth creating a new thread, well, it's probably not worth resurrecting a 2 or 3 or 8 year old thread either. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

August 17, 2009, 04:25 PM	#4
stargazer65 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 761	I actually like the necrophilia threads. It's funny to read when someone inadvertantly posts an answer to a thread that's really, really old and then everyone else starts jumping on the bandwagon as if it's a new topic. __________________ "I assert that nothing ever comes to pass without a cause." Jonathan Edwards

August 17, 2009, 04:51 PM	#5
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I just did a little search of my own, there is actually a mod for vBUlletin that allows auto-locking. (I know how you guys don't do the "unofficial" mods, but it is out there.) __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

August 17, 2009, 08:23 PM	#7
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I do seem to be getting on peoples bad sides lately... __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

August 18, 2009, 06:09 PM	#8
stargazer65 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 761	It's pigpile on peet week, I guess you didn't get the memo. __________________ "I assert that nothing ever comes to pass without a cause." Jonathan Edwards

August 17, 2009, 12:50 PM	#2
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	IMO only, It would be a negative... when I joined I noticed folks getting chided for starting a thread as repetitious and told "had you done a search...." so a person searches, then finds an 8 year old thread but still has a touch of question, why not post it there? I figure let them zombie threads live. But not the zombies scenario threads... Brent

August 17, 2009, 01:16 PM	#3
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	IMO, an autolocking feature would be an excellent one. If it existed, I would personally already have it turned on. tyme added a "are you really, really sure you want to post in this very old thread" question to old threads that a member has to check off in order to reanimate them. That helped a lot, but a handful of old threads pop up every week. While hogdogs brings up a very valid point, I feel there is an obvious and very easy solution. Doing a search for info is always a good practice, and chastising those who don't is often valid if done in a polite manner. However, there is no need to resurrect a very old thread just to add your own flavor of the question. Either your quest for info was completely satisfied by the info in the old thread, or it wasn't. If the latter, then a new thread should be started with a specific question. The old thread can and should be linked as a reference. But, bringing back the old thread with a question at the tail end is both confusing to the general membership and doesn't help the person trying to find new info. Invariably members will start out answering or commenting on the first few posts that are now several years old (and the OP is often not even visiting our site any longer).

August 17, 2009, 05:44 PM	#6
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	we need an auto lock for all posts by peet unless he buys me a bottle of hooch once a month... MY CHOICE Brent