What about old threads being revived by basically newbies here? Some of their posts in these threads are basically just to pad their posting numbers. But more importantly I don't think they are adding much if anything to the original discussion. Can we lock these or delete the new posts and send a note to the member to stick with current threads? or perhaps start a new one?

what do you think?

Hi Joni,

Any particular thread?

Necroposts are not always inappropriate. It's really a judgment call to deal with necroposting. I would say the rule is more of a "don't bump threads for stupid reasons, and the older the thread, the better the reason should be". Unless their post has sufficient content on it's own to generate new interest, and is too relevant to make a new thread (like new details on a news story) they shouldn't do it. In Web Dev and Programming especially and for people who are working on long term projects there is no deadline for editing a thread either, those topics that are almost unheard of elsewhere. This is primarily a teaching site, well that's what we're aiming at. An (almost) open source text book in the heart of webmasters and internet marketers. In some cases, if someone asks a question they deserve the right to control the direction of the conversation until they understand (or give up trying to understand) the answers. What is bad with necroposting is it forces the people to review an issue that may have been solved long ago, follow all the twists and turns only to find some noob is asking some unrelated question and is only leaving their links for seo. I think everyone would be best served if you started your own thread with your question. Nothing wrong with referencing the old thread (hey I saw X mentioned here) but you should start a fresh thread if you want fresh answers. I am really on the fence about it myself.

To our valued long-termed members,

If an experienced member, feel that the wrong judgment call was made then s/he should use the report post feature and request a topic split (there is no need to call-out the individual for doing the necropost because the mods can do that privately as required) ie, post in the same thread and immediately jump-upon the member for doing so. We'd rather the more established members use the Report Post feature or apply a bit of a mentoring approach (as opposed to the bullying & cajoling approach). However, given the direction & discussion in the forums, I think it is fair to say that we desire to see similar behavior from the established members when a new site member throws some questions into a new post. It may be mind-numbing for the vets to listen to yet another newbie ask the same old-newbie questions but we have to do better than just telling them to go search. I think we shouldn't just tell them to use Google otherwise, what's the forum for? How many here have arrived at a new job to be told that everything they need to know can be found on the G:\ Drive, and how bloody infuriating did you find that useless bit of "helpful advice"? We can do better than that here. When you see that infuriating question that you've answered a thousand times and you just want to be the first to yell at that guy to do a search, then you should just move along to another topic without posting a thing. If you still feel the need to help the misguided individual, then it is a challenge for all of us to do the search ourselves to confirm that the question has been answered and can be found. Then, post the link with some helpful suggestion like "I think we've addressed your question before. Check out this link, and if you need more then revise your question over there so we can build on the previous discussion." It is in our best interests to give the benefit of the doubt to most new users who are a little sloppy but well meaning. If we great these new members with condescension, bullying, and other hostility then we will drive them away before they have the chance to learn the ropes and prove themselves. We will loose out on potentially quality contributors & "new blood."

... and yes, I know this advice has been given before which is why we need to take this discussion out in the public.

Very good topic Joni

Thanks Shey

The main thing I was referring to with all these revivals of old posts are posts that usually are adding a suggestion that's already been added multiple times before in the same thread or they're adding a compliment to a thread thats so old no one has posted in it in a year or longer.

In fact, Chris reported one the other day (no infraction and he didn't call the guy out either it was just a request to monitor his design contest for legitimacy) where this guy who now has a graphic contest going but I think due to the rule of having to have so many posts before you can sponsor a contest he made a bunch of posts in threads that haven't had a post in them since 2009. These posts were 4-5 word sentences just adding a compliment to some pictures.

In a way I can't blame the guy because he isn't that savvy when it comes to forum etiquette so he probably did the only thing he could think of and maybe I'm using the wrong example here.... But, I was thinking if we were to lock down all those old threads so the enticement doesn't exist?

And I think your suggestion about instructing newbies or referring them to older threads with the added comment you stated is an excellent idea. But not all of us - know what questions being asked have already been asked and answered. However, If we want to be a source for people to learn we have to treat the questions as legitimate questions even though they've been asked before. Of course if its not a legitimate question and the member is looking for clicks to their site or if its spam thats a horse of a different color.

I think a new thread or perhaps some kind of pop up page for newbies with those instructions you mentioned would be good. I don't know.

The reason I brought this up wasn't because its annoying me - well not entirely..... I just think locking down those old threads would save us time not having to monitor them because no one would be able to post in them. I also think the ones that are locked down could be put somewhere or clearly marked because I find myself looking at them for several minutes before I realize how old they are.
Maybe its just me.....The only thing I find mind-numbing more than anything is when people come here with the expectation that we're here strictly for them. Or rather with the expectation that we should do some work for them.

Just wanted to add that some instruction for the newbies should retiterate that they have a right to appeal any infractions or bans, etc. by going through the proper procedure.

i think if it it's an old post (or come to that, any post) and it's been answered then it should be locked anwyay.

People who want to host a comp will still post rubbish just to get access to hosting a competition - they'll just find more current threads to do it in.

You're right Dave and its funny that you should mention this because I was just saying the other day.......
see my last post in this thread.
http://tycoontalk.freelancer.com/thr...hrishirst.html

Not for the first time of posting.

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=149214
http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=130738
http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=133110

maybe it's about time something happened then

Don't be holding your breath on that one Dave

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Not for the first time of posting.

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=149214
http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=130738
http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=133110

Specify # of days and/or Auto-lock for what instance/reason?
FYI, I was asked to re-open some threads here that were closed by some ex-mods and current mods for lacking valid reasons as to why they were locked.

you don't have to "give a reason" and there is no mechanism to provide a "reason" when closing threads in vbulletin.

And threads were ALWAYS closed for a reason, mostly because they hey become a "spam magnet" or were simply collecting more junk (as you are now finding out).

Why not simply look at the thread history and ASK the person why before taking a decision without the full facts?

Some threads simply have run their useful course (as it states in the forum rules) and are serving no purpose.

Having useless replies made to long dead questions will NOT make the boards seem as if they are still alive.
The fate of the forum was sealed when a wholesale reorganisation changed the focus and took it away from the focus and interests of the membership.