Can the software be configured to automatically end old threads?

mrmikel · 01-02-2014, 11:40 AM

There have been several times lately that newbies have posted to old dead threads. On other boards I have seen threads closed. Is is possible to automate it here after say 90 days with no postings?

HarryT · 01-02-2014, 11:41 AM

Please ask questions like this in the "Feedback" forum. I'll move this thread there now.

HarryT · 01-02-2014, 11:42 AM

That probably wouldn't be a good idea. There are valid reasons why you may wish to post to an old thread. The current forum software does warn you if you do attempt to post to an old thread.

bawldiggle · 01-09-2014, 07:02 PM

And how old is old.?

Recently on a windows-system forum (while searching for some clues) I found a 2 year old thread that had never been responded to. It happens!
By chance I knew the solution and posted a detailed fix.
The original threader was very pleased to get a solution, even after 2 years.

Now that thread has taken off, I get about 2 notifications per week. A once orphaned thread is now helping a good number of people.

I do acknowledge not all solutions are fixes.

Personally I think 2 or 3 years is long enough for a thread. Many forums simply lock old threads.

theducks · 01-11-2014, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bawldiggle

And how old is old.?

Recently on a windows-system forum (while searching for some clues) I found a 2 year old thread that had never been responded to. It happens!
By chance I knew the solution and posted a detailed fix.
The original threader was very pleased to get a solution, even after 2 years.

Now that thread has taken off, I get about 2 notifications per week. A once orphaned thread is now helping a good number of people.

I do acknowledge not all solutions are fixes.

Personally I think 2 or 3 years is long enough for a thread. Many forums simply lock old threads.

Calibre threads can become old within months because the program moves that fast.
Old is relative

Nyssa · 01-11-2014, 03:55 PM

The "Milestone" Thread is considered an "old" thread and I just resurrected it because I wanted to celebrate my 3 year anniversary as a member here at MobileRead. This prompted other people to celebrate their milestones as well. I would have been disappointed if that thread had been automatically closed.

bawldiggle · 01-11-2014, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Calibre threads can become old within months because the program moves that fast.
Old is relative

As a newbie to Kobo + eBooks + Calibre + ADE ... Thanks for the info.

GeoffC · 01-12-2014, 09:01 AM

Threads never grow old - just timeless .... (like me)

bawldiggle · 01-12-2014, 03:59 PM

Are we discussing "lounge" sub-forums ?

If not ...
... as a self confessed ludite ...
If a thread is still relevant, maybe leave it open
But if the content is outdated, let it go. Lock it or move it to a legacy forum.

To retain an old (unlocked) thread because of an emotional attachment defeats the purpose of any forum.
And if a thread is that brilliant it should be a sticky or tutorial. Maybe rewritten by admin (or knowledgeable volunteers) to cut down on the crud and misinformation.
Locked threads discourage "ranters" (rants only bump threads, and again defeat the purpose of the forum)

I choose a forum by ...

number of lookers on line.
age of first page of threads
how active is the forum
how quickly are threads responded to, if at all.
quality of support -- one line answers can just be post-counting.
stickies or tutorials
logical structure --some forum structures out smart themselves
no ads when I am logged in

This is the only reasonably active forum for "eBooks" I could find. The replies have been excellent and very helpful. Timely, to-the-point, address my questions

There is nothing more irritating than spending an hour or more reading through an ancient thread to discover the solutions/structures have changed over the years.
eg, I certainly don't want to waste my time reading about Win-95 in 2014.

In their frustration newbies want info/help that is relevant NOW. As dinosaurs we grew up in times when we had to be patient there was no internet nor complex home technology.
On forums where I know my stuff there are a lot of young people and dinosaurs climbing the walls out of frustration on how to resolve their technical problems.

"Balance" is the keyword.
If we live in the past we are ignoring today.

eschwartz · 01-12-2014, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bawldiggle

[*] no ads when I am logged in

Can't you just use Adblock Plus?

bawldiggle · 01-13-2014, 09:40 PM

Hi eschwartz

Thank you for the prompt on "AdBlock Plus"
For years I have vowed to follow up on ad-blocking, now I have done it

Thank you

jersysman · 01-16-2014, 01:27 PM

I'll add only one thing. If adding to the thread helps or informs just one other person, then it was not old.

01-02-2014, 11:40 AM	#1
mrmikel Color me gone Posts: 2,089 Karma: 1445295 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Oregon Coast Device: PRS-300	Can the software be configured to automatically end old threads? There have been several times lately that newbies have posted to old dead threads. On other boards I have seen threads closed. Is is possible to automate it here after say 90 days with no postings?

01-09-2014, 07:02 PM	#4
bawldiggle anything is possible Posts: 22 Karma: 79964 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura HD	And how old is old.? Recently on a windows-system forum (while searching for some clues) I found a 2 year old thread that had never been responded to. It happens! By chance I knew the solution and posted a detailed fix. The original threader was very pleased to get a solution, even after 2 years. Now that thread has taken off, I get about 2 notifications per week. A once orphaned thread is now helping a good number of people. I do acknowledge not all solutions are fixes. Personally I think 2 or 3 years is long enough for a thread. Many forums simply lock old threads. Last edited by bawldiggle; 01-09-2014 at 07:10 PM.

01-11-2014, 03:55 PM	#6
Nyssa Series Addict Posts: 6,180 Karma: 167189477 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite (2nd Gen)	Please Don't The "Milestone" Thread is considered an "old" thread and I just resurrected it because I wanted to celebrate my 3 year anniversary as a member here at MobileRead. This prompted other people to celebrate their milestones as well. I would have been disappointed if that thread had been automatically closed.

01-12-2014, 03:59 PM	#9
bawldiggle anything is possible Posts: 22 Karma: 79964 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura HD	Nothing is forever Are we discussing "lounge" sub-forums ? If not ... ... as a self confessed ludite ... If a thread is still relevant, maybe leave it open But if the content is outdated, let it go. Lock it or move it to a legacy forum. To retain an old (unlocked) thread because of an emotional attachment defeats the purpose of any forum. And if a thread is that brilliant it should be a sticky or tutorial. Maybe rewritten by admin (or knowledgeable volunteers) to cut down on the crud and misinformation. Locked threads discourage "ranters" (rants only bump threads, and again defeat the purpose of the forum) I choose a forum by ... number of lookers on line. age of first page of threads how active is the forum how quickly are threads responded to, if at all. quality of support -- one line answers can just be post-counting. stickies or tutorials logical structure --some forum structures out smart themselves no ads when I am logged in This is the only reasonably active forum for "eBooks" I could find. The replies have been excellent and very helpful. Timely, to-the-point, address my questions There is nothing more irritating than spending an hour or more reading through an ancient thread to discover the solutions/structures have changed over the years. eg, I certainly don't want to waste my time reading about Win-95 in 2014. In their frustration newbies want info/help that is relevant NOW. As dinosaurs we grew up in times when we had to be patient there was no internet nor complex home technology. On forums where I know my stuff there are a lot of young people and dinosaurs climbing the walls out of frustration on how to resolve their technical problems. "Balance" is the keyword. If we live in the past we are ignoring today. Last edited by bawldiggle; 01-12-2014 at 04:06 PM. Reason: ... because I can !

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01-02-2014, 11:41 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Please ask questions like this in the "Feedback" forum. I'll move this thread there now.

01-02-2014, 11:42 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	That probably wouldn't be a good idea. There are valid reasons why you may wish to post to an old thread. The current forum software does warn you if you do attempt to post to an old thread.

01-12-2014, 09:01 AM	#8
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	Threads never grow old - just timeless .... (like me)

01-13-2014, 09:40 PM	#11
bawldiggle anything is possible Posts: 22 Karma: 79964 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura HD	Hi eschwartz Thank you for the prompt on "AdBlock Plus" For years I have vowed to follow up on ad-blocking, now I have done it Thank you

01-16-2014, 01:27 PM	#12
jersysman Wizard Posts: 1,747 Karma: 3761220 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Device: T1 Red, Kindle Fire, Kindle PW, PW2, Nook HD+, Kobo Mini, Aura HD	I'll add only one thing. If adding to the thread helps or informs just one other person, then it was not old.

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