Why lock old threads that are brought up?

[Plainsman]

I don't get it. Why do the old threads that someone digs up get locked all the time? If you don't want them brought up, get rid of them or have them ALL locked after a set amount of time.
Or are some "people" just grumpy?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Why lock old threads that are brought up?

A lot has to do with the nature of the post. If an old post is being responded to with speciific info to help the original poster, but that poster hasn't posted in a few years, then there is no point, and the threads get locked.

But some old posts are still worth responding to, and if they are a generic nature response that everyone will benefit from, then the post stands.

At least that's been my experience over the years on these forums.

 

[QC]

Re: Why lock old threads that are brought up?

Yeah Eric, Mark has it right. It's been a little bit of a debate, but generally if it is somewhat generic and additional posts are helpful or topical then fine. If it was a "Where is the flangelrod on my doohickey?" and it was answered four years ago, then what's the point of keeping it open?

 

[JB]

Re: Why lock old threads that are brought up?

Or are some "people" just grumpy?

Well, I wasn't gonna mention it, Plainsman, but if you feel grumpy it is okay for you to mention it.

As mentioned above, not all antique threads get locked; just the ones that make no sense to hijack.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Why lock old threads that are brought up?

Yeah Eric, Mark has it right. It's been a little bit of a debate, but generally if it is somewhat generic and additional posts are helpful or topical then fine. If it was a "Where is the flangelrod on my doohickey?" and it was answered four years ago, then what's the point of keeping it open?

The point of letting it roll, is that there is often a continuing interest in the subject matter. Sometimes a point is expanded upon, sometimes it is clarified, and sometimes someone just doesn't understand what has been said. In that case, they may just want to ask the basic question in another way.

I have always found it strange that there seems to be some taboo in responding to old threads here. I have seen a number of cases where someone will chastize someone else for an entry to one of them, yet there will be interest displayed by a number of people.

My choice would be to leave the thread alone. Folks will respond as they see fit, and the thread will die out again when it is time. There really isn't any harm in doing this.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Why lock old threads that are brought up?

one reason for closing them, is members notice the thread is old and just skip reading a long thead. they are left in the system, as references, and search feature. when i close on. there is always a note, "if you have more questions, start your own thread" as most revived old threads are "hijacks".