Auto lock/archive threads without a reply in >6 months

[UnregistredHypercam2]

I feel like I am fairly often baited into viewing dead threads that were gravedug by someone who didn't notice/care how old the thread is. It would be helpful to automatically lock threads that weren't replied to after a certain amount of time (6 months as a suggestion).

One could argue that it's an existing topic that doesn't need a new thread, but my counter argument to that is the thread is long dead and a fresh/new thread would probably be more beneficial anyways.

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[AzScorpion]

If people search for a topic and it's already been asked they can add their comment to it instead of creating a whole other thread about something that already exists. Chances are the question has been asked and doesn't need another new thread on it. We (moderators) end up just merging the new threads with the existing ones anyways (if we can find it) so you're still going to see the past ones. It keeps the forum less cluttered not having multiple post on the same topic and helps contain answers to one thread when someone is searching for a topic.

Now if we could only get a damper sub forum it would clean most every thread on here.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

An option I've seen used other places is not to lock the threads, but to have a message in the thread, or before the user posts a reply that says this thread is x months/years old are you sure you want to reply.

Just as a friendly reminder that there might be a more current thread, or perhaps a new thread is warranted....

 

[LostMy65]

If people search for a topic and it's already been asked they can add their comment to it instead of creating a whole other thread about something that already exists. Chances are the question has been asked and doesn't need another new thread on it. We (moderators) end up just merging the new threads with the existing ones anyways (if we can find it) so you're still going to see the past ones. It keeps the forum less cluttered not having multiple post on the same topic and helps contain answers to one thread when someone is searching for a topic.

Now if we could only get a damper sub forum it would clean most every thread on here.

I am so glad you made this reply. No quicker way to destroy a library of knowledge but to close every old thread. I try to find something in that boat forum I mentioned in that other thread and there is 25 closed threads on the same topic. And after reading more than half of them you might find your answer.
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Merging duplicate threads and keeping information consolidated is the best format for a discussion forum.
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And just because someone hasn't posted in a thread after a year perhaps, what makes that the wrong thread to ask a related question? Does the information in that thread expire, or is it still valuable that could be picked up and discussed even further at a later date?

 

[UnregistredHypercam2]

For the sake of clarity, I am not suggesting these threads be hidden/archive, just preventing comments on dead threads. I also like the above idea of a warning message when replying to a thread that is dead. Something to discourage gravedigging is what I am really going for here.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

For the sake of clarity, I am not suggesting these threads be hidden/archive, just preventing comments on dead threads. I also like the above idea of a warning message when replying to a thread that is dead. Something to discourage gravedigging is what I am really going for here.

In the other forum they had a "problem" of people reserecting threads that were 8 and 10 years old....

The warning was a easy unobtrusive way to, as @LostMy65 said, keep the library open.

 

[AzScorpion]

I am so glad you made this reply. No quicker way to destroy a library of knowledge but to close every old thread. I try to find something in that boat forum I mentioned in that other thread and there is 25 closed threads on the same topic. And after reading more than half of them you might find your answer.
.
Merging duplicate threads and keeping information consolidated is the best format for a discussion forum.
.
And just because someone hasn't posted in a thread after a year perhaps, what makes that the wrong thread to ask a related question? Does the information in that thread expire, or is it still valuable that could be picked up and discussed even further at a later date?

When I first found this forum it was easy to search through every thread as there weren't that many. lol I realize now there are a lot of them and many dating back to 2018 when the forum was first opened. But we still have many new members joining and some of that old info is still valuable to them in their search for either issues with their Ranger or parts/accessories and or how to info.

Just like the warped heater box/broken actuator that plague to 2019's - mid 2020's. The thread originally started 2 years ago back in Oct of '20 but I encountered this issue just this past spring and many are just having it now 2 years later. It really helps for them to dig this info up and post on it so it doesn't get buried further in the archives.

I have seen some thread in the past few days that were resurrected. I had to look closer at the dates because they didn't make sense or I remembered seeing them before. ***Just watch out when it's from Paul @OrangeStreak! He's famous for resurrecting 2 year old threads and saying Happy 4th of July thinking it's the present day one. ? ?

 

[OrangeStreak]

When I first found this forum it was easy to search through every thread as there weren't that many. lol I realize now there are a lot of them and many dating back to 2018 when the forum was first opened. But we still have many new members joining and some of that old info is still valuable to them in their search for either issues with their Ranger or parts/accessories and or how to info.

Just like the warped heater box/broken actuator that plague to 2019's - mid 2020's. The thread originally started 2 years ago back in Oct of '20 but I encountered this issue just this past spring and many are just having it now 2 years later. It really helps for them to dig this info up and post on it so it doesn't get buried further in the archives.

I have seen some thread in the past few days that were resurrected. I had to look closer at the dates because they didn't make sense or I remembered seeing them before. ***Just watch out when it's from Paul @OrangeStreak! He's famous for resurrecting 2 year old threads and saying Happy 4th of July thinking it's the present day one. ? ?

Dave, thanks for the reminder that I've been slipping lately in bringing old threads back to life. Happy 4th of July! ...

 

[Trigganometry]

Dave, thanks for the reminder that I've been slipping lately in bringing old threads back to life. Happy 4th of July! ...

Let’s get through this Christmas before we start Christmas in July!!! ???

 

[LostMy65]

 

[OrangeStreak]

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