Old threads: what's the big deal; and a suggestion!

[Gomer]

I always get a chuckle out of people getting wound up about old threads getting plucked from the depth of the archive. What's the big deal?

And... I know this will never happen as I guess the coding would not be simple (maybe someone can suggest it to the VB people)... But at the top of each post there is a blue bar containing the date. This runs from the one end of the reply to the other. It would be awesome if that bar could be color coded (or differentiated in some other fashion) based on the age of the reply. That way people would be aware of it without actively having to check the age of the reply.

Oh yeah... I coulda just bumped one of the old threads about this I guess *shrug*

[The Real Bingo]

Depends what the topic of the thread is, as well as the extent of the bump...

[RobRich]

Thread moved.

Bumping an old thread with relevant continuing discussion is acceptable enough IMO. Spamming a bunch of old threads with useless, off-topic replies (i.e. "LOL") or content amounting to a bulk copy-and-paste job is pretty annoying, again IMO.

[CERuppel]

What RobRich said

If you have something new to ADD to an existing ongoing thread then by all means please dreadge up the old relavent thread.

And I like the idea about color coding threads to reflect age/use. Can't remember the times I'm reading thru a thread and its the second page before I notice the dates...

[Cmptr-Gy-Dv]

we could use some color, it's all blue, lets get some red stuff going,

[MegalosSkylaki]

I can understand why some people may be annoyed by the reviving of Olde threads.

However, I do find it irksome that the revivival or revisiting of an olde Thread become the subject of criticism simply because it is Olde, regardless of its merits or the reason for its revival.

The reason for taking exception to such revivals that I am quite sympathetic with is that many times former members--who are no longer around -are also revived with the Thread. Some left or stopped posting in circumstances that were particularly problamtic or had caused or were the result of ill will. Some are Banned. Some are even deceased and may upset some people to see their Avatar all of a sudden.

Hence, I do recommend that before an Olde thread be added to and brought back to First Page status, there be a review of its contents and some consideration of these issues be dully given. As in many cases, some balance should be struck between the bebefit of riving such a thread and the possible untoward consequences as well.

Otherwise, adding to a thread deserves the same attention as to a new thread: is it adding anything of interest or merit or newness to the discourse. In a recent revival of a Social Security thread I did, the Budget Deficit has been increased dramatically, and a Tax cut, a major war, and a devistating Hurricane has added to budgetary woes, as well as a steadily declining US Dollar, icreased dependence on foreign treasury Bill purchasers,increased inflation --and the years since its original posting have seen nothing done to address the problem, which has been back-shelved.

We are four years closer to when Gov't. can no longer spend excess SSA Payroll taxes(FICA) and instead must raise revenues to pay promised --and expected benefits.

Indeed, if you consider the spread between using FICA taxes for current expenses , not having any excess to rely on to cover current expenditures, and then adding money to the SSA by either increased Payroll or other taxes, the spread is increasingly burdensome--as well as deliberately ignored by Politicians who don't want to touch the Reality-check this would require. And how many other politicians are there ?

Yet I could find no serious reasons for avoiding its revival.

My point is as stated earlier: each Thread must be evaluated on its own merits or demerits--with all due consideration to any untoward factors that would argue against the wisdom of its revival.

MegalosSkylaki

[MegalosSkylaki]

My point is as stated earlier: each Thread must be evaluated on its own merits or demerits--with all due consideration to any untoward factors that would argue against the wisdom of its revival

YOUNGDOOOG

[Steve R Jones]

MegalosSkylaki, are you refering to OT threads or all threads?

Bringing up a three year old thread about booting up issues with a "here, try this to resolve your issue" is pretty pointless. Sure the suggestion might be a good one, but odds are the OP isn't an active member or doesn't even own the pc anymore...

[pullmyfoot]

can we have like a ranking system to how good a thread is too while we are at it? colour coding threads! i like



and whats up with all the porn spamming lately

[MegalosSkylaki]

MegalosSkylaki, are you refering to OT threads or all threads?

Bringing up a three year old thread about booting up issues with a "here, try this to resolve your issue" is pretty pointless. Sure the suggestion might be a good one, but odds are the OP isn't an active member or doesn't even own the pc anymore...

Well, whether its a Tech or an IMO thread the same consideration should apply, including relevance:

Otherwise, adding to a thread deserves the same attention as to a new thread: is it adding anything of interest or merit or newness to the discourse

Sure, this might be less likely in a olde Tech thread, where the context has changed so dramatically. And whether it be tech or IMO, the same sensitivity issues may still apply. Otherwise, a thread is a thread is a thread.

Whose the guy in the rocking chair?

MegalosSkylaki

[TrendyMartini]

I have no problem with resurrecting old threads if the new content or question is relevant. It makes more sense for an old thread to be used than to create new threads that cover the exact same or similar topic.

[EXreaction]

Bringing up a three year old thread about booting up issues with a "here, try this to resolve your issue" is pretty pointless.