Removing thread expiration
 

I think removing thread expiration might increase activity, as there are some old threads that I know I, and at least a few others have looked back at and have expressed wanting to reply to now with the new knowledge that we have gained since then. I understand that this can contribute to spam, however I think it would overall increase activity. Perhaps we could implement it something like we have implemented how new members post: mods have to approve any posts in a thread that has been dead for over 2 months? I don't know, just something I'd like to see.

Could always PM either Lenny or I to bump the thread. AIM works too.

Why should anyone have to go to that trouble though?

I've suggested it before and I still think it's a good idea. Thread digging does nothing but bring more active threads/posts to the forum, and possibly confuses a few people, but it's all in good fun anyway. It's a silly system that should have never been put in place.

EDIT: Oh yeah and why the hell am I not on that list. I can bump shit too.

It's not silly, it's perfectly logical. PM a mod or posting in Talk to the Staff is equivilent to having moderators approve posts in expired threads, anyway.

Not for new members who run across an interesting thread from way back, but who don't know or care to get to know the mods or explore the site enough to find the talk to staff button. Honestly, one thread is generally what hooks people onto a forum. If you find that one thread, but can't do anything with it it makes the forum look less appealing.

I hadn't even thought about that point, MJ.

Really, what IF someone is brought here by some old thread, but they can't post in it? That might make the difference between them staying or leaving.

I kind of think you overestimate the drive of a lot of people to post in expired threads =P.

Well if they really want to, then they can just ask a staff member to bump it for them...

And what about new members? What if they are drawn here to Zelaron by a thread from the past and they want to post in it but they can't?

If a thread is inactive, and has been inactive for a month, then that'll be because people lost interest and just let it die. There's a reason for it being inactive and expired.

If they're a clever member, then they'll ask why they couldn't reply to the thread, and a staff member will probably bump it for them. If they're not, and just leave because of it, then there's a good chance that they're the type of person that posts a few times, and scarpers.

Also, do we really want things that were topical six months, a year, two years, four years ago being brought up again, when people will probably not care about them?

I've personally never seen the need to post in an expired thread. If it's on the same subject that I might have posted a new thread about, then I'd read through, see if it answers my question, and if not, post the new thread. If it does, then no new thread.

No.





.

Lenny and I are on more frequently usually (or so past history suggests). And I sorta forgot of your promotion :(

I wouldn't mind getting a few "scarpers" around here. If people want to post once or twice and leave, that's fine. Some, undoubtedly, will stay though. Even the activity of members who post once or twice and then pack up and leave is worth keeping around.

The fact that people have lost interest doesn't mean that the topic has lost relevance. People lose interest because the conversation dwindles. It has nothing to do with the relevance of the topic. All it takes is one post to ignite a thread back up. I would love to reply to the old Iraq threads from 3 or 4 years ago, or some ancient debates we used to have. In fact, I've thought many times about asking one of y'all to bump a few threads, but at that point I get too lazy, despite the fact that I talk to a lot of you on Aim quite a bit. I'm sure that's not an uncommon sentiment from some of the members who've been around here a while.

I can understand the point of view of those who say just make a new thread about the same topic. It seems like a satisfactory solution, and for many scenarios it is. There are plenty of cases where it's not, though. Often times a debate has progressed to a point where both sides have laid down the basis of their argument and everything they say builds upon that basis. If the conversation subsides in that thread, however someone has an epiphany on the topic 3 months down the line, it seems rather redundant for him to have to lay down the entire basis of his argument all over again rather than just posting in the original thread. For instance, if some new guy comes to Zelaron 6 months down the line and wants to go at it with me about evolution, I would much rather he post in Draco's thread rather than me having to restate everything that is already present in that thread.

But us is not who I'm concerned about. I'm concerned about the newcomers. For us, it's an annoyance. For newcomers, it's a deterrent.

I'm not saying that the potential for spam isn't a valid concern, however I think that allowing moderators to approve or disapprove posts from threads that have been dead longer than two months is a reasonable compromise. It is far simpler to just post what you're thinking about rather than having to instant message/private message a moderator to bump the thread. Often times in the hassle of trying to find someone who's currently on, I'll often find that a couple of ideas I wanted to verbalize now elude me. My compromise satisfies both sides. Spam will be minimized, annoyances on older members will be minimized, and newcomers will not be deterred from sticking around, even if it is just for a post or two more.

I'm not even sure if it's possible to moderate expired threads.

Make teh 1337 h4x?

Failure imo.

Kinda like the old old OLD thread about the Iraq War (when it was starting).

Lol, we should resurrect that.

Even though i know that this will contradict myself, I agree with all of you!!!! In some ways.
No experation date is a good thing.
But having one is too.
the whole site could run slower with so many treads to remember.