Why are so many threads here locked?

smartwhois · November 14, 2012, 10:26 AM

What is the point of locking a discussion simply because it's long, has been open for a while, or receives a new reply? All this does is discourage discussion, which is the point of forums. I notice this is a common excuse for locking discussions here, and it probably results in more repeated topics, rather than comprehensive ones.

It shouldn't matter when a thread was posted, how many comments it has, nor when a new person decides to comment. A thread can always be new or useful to someone. Open threads are a magnet drawing people in from current search results, closed ones are not as beneficial.

Those that are not interested in a specific thread can easily avoid it.

Anyway, just some feedback on something I noticed.

Brian Pfleuger · November 14, 2012, 11:45 AM

It might help us provide an answer if you gave us specific examples... especially since this is your first post here in 3 1/2 years....

**Mike Irwin** · November 14, 2012, 01:46 PM

Each thread that is locked will have an explanation as to why it is being locked, placed there by the staff member who locked it.

A thread may be locked for many reasons, but that is the key to knowing why.

If you don't agree with the reason(s) for why a thread has been locked, that is certainly your right, but with no disrespect intended, the chances of our changing the manner in which we currently deal with locked threads likely is not going to happen any time soon.

Why? Because we've been entrusted to run this forum based on the vision of its founder and owner, and until such time that we hear from him that he wants us to do it a different way, it's not going to change.

Edward429451 · November 14, 2012, 07:42 PM

Yeah, but you mods have a lot of discretion available to you with regard to thread closures, and seem to be a little overly strict about it sometimes. Some very good threads have been closed for not much reason at all. No examples, just an observation.

Lighten up a little you guys!

**JohnKSa** · November 15, 2012, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Some very good threads have been closed for not much reason at all. No examples, just an observation.

The fact is that it's often the case that a thread is locked because things got out of hand, a staff member had to do cleanup (deletions and edits which aren't typically visible to the general membership) and then decided that the prudent thing was to close it to prevent a repeat performance.

What I'm saying is that while sometimes it might seem that there's "not much reason at all", the members often don't have enough information to make that determination with any reasonable level of accuracy.

Members with SPECIFIC examples of threads they believe shouldn't have been locked or should be reopened, should please contact the staff member who locked the thread via PM.

**Mike Irwin** · November 15, 2012, 09:38 AM

I think I'll go close 20 random threads today.

Just because I can.

egor20 · November 15, 2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

I think I'll go close 20 random threads today.

Just because I can.

I banned half the members of a forum for 30 minutes once.

Just because I could.

**Mal H** · November 15, 2012, 09:11 PM

Ironic, isn't it.

November 14, 2012, 10:26 AM	#1
smartwhois Junior member Join Date: June 2, 2009 Posts: 52	Why are so many threads here locked? What is the point of locking a discussion simply because it's long, has been open for a while, or receives a new reply? All this does is discourage discussion, which is the point of forums. I notice this is a common excuse for locking discussions here, and it probably results in more repeated topics, rather than comprehensive ones. It shouldn't matter when a thread was posted, how many comments it has, nor when a new person decides to comment. A thread can always be new or useful to someone. Open threads are a magnet drawing people in from current search results, closed ones are not as beneficial. Those that are not interested in a specific thread can easily avoid it. Anyway, just some feedback on something I noticed.

November 14, 2012, 11:45 AM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	It might help us provide an answer if you gave us specific examples... especially since this is your first post here in 3 1/2 years.... __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley Last edited by Brian Pfleuger; November 14, 2012 at 01:00 PM.

November 14, 2012, 01:46 PM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	Each thread that is locked will have an explanation as to why it is being locked, placed there by the staff member who locked it. A thread may be locked for many reasons, but that is the key to knowing why. If you don't agree with the reason(s) for why a thread has been locked, that is certainly your right, but with no disrespect intended, the chances of our changing the manner in which we currently deal with locked threads likely is not going to happen any time soon. Why? Because we've been entrusted to run this forum based on the vision of its founder and owner, and until such time that we hear from him that he wants us to do it a different way, it's not going to change. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 15, 2012, 09:38 AM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	I think I'll go close 20 random threads today. Just because I can. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 14, 2012, 07:42 PM	#4
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Yeah, but you mods have a lot of discretion available to you with regard to thread closures, and seem to be a little overly strict about it sometimes. Some very good threads have been closed for not much reason at all. No examples, just an observation. Lighten up a little you guys!

November 15, 2012, 09:11 PM	#8
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,949	Ironic, isn't it.