Old Threads

atlctyslkr · July 17, 2006, 04:06 PM

Does anyone else on here use the search function for research? I know the mods mention it from time to time when a topic gets brought up that has already been disussed 50 times. Sometimes I find info that is still relevant or rather timeless. Some have said to me it's bad to ressurect old threads and I should repost as a new topic. I'd like to give credit to the original thinker. What do you guys think?

seeker_two · July 17, 2006, 04:32 PM

Wisdom doesn't have a spoilage date, and a lot of good info can be found in the old threads.

If it was good enough for Lazarus.....

Don H · July 17, 2006, 04:47 PM

Oftentimes people don't notice that it is an old thread and challenge or ask questions of an original poster who hasn't been here in years. My preference would be to start a new thread and reference the old thread(s) with a link. This would highlight what is current and what is not and help prevent one-sided debates with departed members.

Twycross · July 17, 2006, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don H

start a new thread and reference the old thread(s) with a link.

Sounds like a good idea to me. But I don't think much will change. Zombie threads are a part of forum life.

Odd Job · July 17, 2006, 04:57 PM

@ Don H

How long do notifications/subscriptions to threads last though? Because if they do last long, I would prefer replies in the original thread so the original poster (who may still be around) may get an email notification that there is a new response in his thread.
I personally like seeing how the subject matter has developed or how opinions have changed. Nice to keep it in one thread.
Just my opinion.

Al Norris · July 17, 2006, 06:57 PM

Odd Job, that depends upon if the thread originator even had thread notification on! It's an option in the user controlpanel as to whether it is the default action.

If it is not your default setting, then you would have to set the notification type for each thread you replied to (it's in the "Reply To Thread" options below the first "submit" button)... Or at least those threads you wanted to be notified of.

Add to this, you cannot tell who is going to be notified and who isn't when you reply!

At any rate, my personal preference is not to resurrect old threads unless there is actually more info relevant to that thread. But that's just me.

Here's what I have seen: Old thread gets revived. New folks don't look at the date of the original poster. Arguement ensues; or irrelevant posts made... Thread gets locked.

So... I didn't "vote" in the poll, as it is not a question that has a black and white answer.

johnbt · July 18, 2006, 08:53 AM

"Does anyone else on here use the search function for research?"

Yes. I also use Google to search using "thefiringline" and whatever two-letter topic I'm interested in since the search function won't do two-letter searches.

I like it when there's a new topic posted that includes the link to the old thread.

John

Don H · July 18, 2006, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Does anyone else on here use the search function for research?

I failed to answer this on my post. Yes, I do. I also do searches to check other forums also.

dfaugh · July 18, 2006, 01:39 PM

I try to...but sometimes I'm asking a very specific question, and the "search" function returns a bazillion threads, many of which aren't related. Not much you can do about it I guess, just the way it works.

Doug.38PR · July 19, 2006, 05:27 PM

Yes. If someone is interested in a thread and wants to add to it, then who cares how old it is. Someone doesn't like it then don't participate. There are plenty of threads on TFL and other forums that I am not interested in, yet I don't go in and complain how worn out it is or how stupid the person is for bringing it up or reviving it.

If there aren't enough interested people in participating then it will die as quickly as it was revived. If enough people participate then that in and of itself makes it worthwhile.

atlctyslkr · July 25, 2006, 08:26 PM

I noticed on strategies and tactics that the three latest threads are old ones that I dug up. Maybe they really weren't dead just taking a nap.

View Poll Results: Should Old Threads be given new life?
Yes	16	64.00%
No	9	36.00%
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll

July 17, 2006, 04:06 PM	#1
atlctyslkr Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 613	Old Threads Does anyone else on here use the search function for research? I know the mods mention it from time to time when a topic gets brought up that has already been disussed 50 times. Sometimes I find info that is still relevant or rather timeless. Some have said to me it's bad to ressurect old threads and I should repost as a new topic. I'd like to give credit to the original thinker. What do you guys think?

July 17, 2006, 04:32 PM	#2
seeker_two Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2002 Location: Deep in the Heart of the Lone Star State (TX) Posts: 2,169	Wisdom doesn't have a spoilage date, and a lot of good info can be found in the old threads. If it was good enough for Lazarus..... __________________ Proud member of Gun Culture 2.0......

July 18, 2006, 01:39 PM	#9
dfaugh Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2002 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,715	I try to...but sometimes I'm asking a very specific question, and the "search" function returns a bazillion threads, many of which aren't related. Not much you can do about it I guess, just the way it works. __________________ "If you Listen to Fools, the Mob Rules" "No one has the answer, but one thing is true. You'e got to turn on evil, when its coming after you. You've gotta face it down,and when it tries to hide, you've got to go in after it, and never be denied. Time is running out...Let's roll. Let's roll for freedom, let's roll for love. We're going after satan, on the wings of a dove. Let's roll for freedom, let's roll for truth. Let's not let our children grow up fearful in their youth."

July 17, 2006, 04:47 PM	#3
Don H Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2000 Location: SLC,Utah Posts: 2,704	Oftentimes people don't notice that it is an old thread and challenge or ask questions of an original poster who hasn't been here in years. My preference would be to start a new thread and reference the old thread(s) with a link. This would highlight what is current and what is not and help prevent one-sided debates with departed members.

July 17, 2006, 04:57 PM	#5
Odd Job Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2006 Location: London (ex SA) Posts: 476	@ Don H How long do notifications/subscriptions to threads last though? Because if they do last long, I would prefer replies in the original thread so the original poster (who may still be around) may get an email notification that there is a new response in his thread. I personally like seeing how the subject matter has developed or how opinions have changed. Nice to keep it in one thread. Just my opinion.

July 17, 2006, 06:57 PM	#6
Al Norris Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2000 Location: Rupert, Idaho Posts: 9,660	Odd Job, that depends upon if the thread originator even had thread notification on! It's an option in the user controlpanel as to whether it is the default action. If it is not your default setting, then you would have to set the notification type for each thread you replied to (it's in the "Reply To Thread" options below the first "submit" button)... Or at least those threads you wanted to be notified of. Add to this, you cannot tell who is going to be notified and who isn't when you reply! At any rate, my personal preference is not to resurrect old threads unless there is actually more info relevant to that thread. But that's just me. Here's what I have seen: Old thread gets revived. New folks don't look at the date of the original poster. Arguement ensues; or irrelevant posts made... Thread gets locked. So... I didn't "vote" in the poll, as it is not a question that has a black and white answer.

July 18, 2006, 08:53 AM	#7
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	"Does anyone else on here use the search function for research?" Yes. I also use Google to search using "thefiringline" and whatever two-letter topic I'm interested in since the search function won't do two-letter searches. I like it when there's a new topic posted that includes the link to the old thread. John

July 19, 2006, 05:27 PM	#10
Doug.38PR Junior member Join Date: January 18, 2005 Posts: 3,298	Yes. If someone is interested in a thread and wants to add to it, then who cares how old it is. Someone doesn't like it then don't participate. There are plenty of threads on TFL and other forums that I am not interested in, yet I don't go in and complain how worn out it is or how stupid the person is for bringing it up or reviving it. If there aren't enough interested people in participating then it will die as quickly as it was revived. If enough people participate then that in and of itself makes it worthwhile.

July 25, 2006, 08:26 PM	#11
atlctyslkr Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 613	I noticed on strategies and tactics that the three latest threads are old ones that I dug up. Maybe they really weren't dead just taking a nap.