Can(or should) TechIMO limit how far back a query can go?

[no1_vern]

I like occasionally perusing old threads, and I dont mind them coming up on the "current" page because someone needs help or they have added their 2 cents to the discussion, but some people seem to get really upset over threads that pop up 4-5-6 years after the last post was made in the thread.

I was wondering if TechIMO might consider making results from less than 2 years(or 1 year) the default?

By adding a check box that allows results to go further back, we might be able to reduce the amount of thread resurrections(making some people very happy), and it might reduce the server load TechIMO has(dont really know-but. . .)

[pullmyfoot]

hey thats a pretty good idea

[vass0922]

Are we going to limit how far back google can go?

[Steve R Jones]

Most of the resurrections are the results of Google searches and the new person not paying attention.

Another site I post on automatically closes all threads older then 60 days. Or it might be threads with no activity older then 60 days.

[pullmyfoot]

Well then, we could make it so that threads older than 60 days do not get found by google?

[sr71000]

I think removing anything (other than spam) from a search engine is a bad idea. There's a lot of good info older than 60 days. I think a much better idea would be to disable the quick reply box for threads older than 60 days, then when a user clicks to reply, they're taken to an interim page that notifies them that this is an old thread and points them toward opening a new thread but leaving them the option to continue through to revive the old one.

[surreal]

Um, how often have you googled and found some threads on a forum?
I do, then I look at the date, no way am I gong to take the time and register then resurrect it...
But I also know how much people are jumped on for doing it...tisk, tisk, it takes so much less effort to ignore it.

Of course the more people that come here and register the bigger our member database, which must help increase the value of this site to advertisers..
Without revenue this place goes.

If we tried to talk about how to generate revenue, people would bitch that this idea or that was already discussed in a thread from 03 and 02.

Then they would post the link!

BTW, I also think the integrity of the forum and history should be kept in tact till it is just no longer feasible..

[Cmptr-Gy-Dv]

OK I'm thinking anybody who gets mad over the age of a thread needs some therapy anyway, so why should techmo get involved with their delusional mishap that may send somebody over the edge, than you get lawyers involved and lawsuits, all because of the age of a thread,

[osprey4]

This isn't hard to fix. Simply pop up a reminder prior to posting that the thread is more than ? months/years old. Many forums do this.

[Coolzer]

Um, how often have you googled and found some threads on a forum?
I do, then I look at the date, no way am I gong to take the time and register then resurrect it...
But I also know how much people are jumped on for doing it...tisk, tisk, it takes so much less effort to ignore it.

Of course the more people that come here and register the bigger our member database, which must help increase the value of this site to advertisers..
Without revenue this place goes.....

Agreed. I can't believe how often people get worked up about this. . There are worse things than resurrecting an old thread.

As long as newcomers are registering and asking for help, there shouldn't be a problem.

[Gomer]

Methinks TechIMO wants Google to be finding as many threads as possible, "dead" or otherwise.

[Steve R Jones]

As long as newcomers are registering and asking for help, there shouldn't be a problem.

Me thinks its the ones that register and attempt to help a six year old thread that cause all the frowns

[surreal]

And some people are just lonely and will try to talk to anyone.
That is ok too. We need not ostracize them for replying to an old thread...
Nor for not looking to notice the date or be forum savvy like we are

edit
hell I've been caught by the old thread syndrome...

[crazyray]

But what about really old members who suddenly show up out of the blue to post a meaningless question?

[surreal]

But what about really old members who suddenly show up out of the blue to post a meaningless question?

I've missed you RAY!!!!

[crazyray]

God bless you.

Carry on....

[Coolzer]

Me thinks its the ones that register and attempt to help a six year old thread that cause all the frowns

Is it really a problem though? It's not really hurting anyone. IMO

[JLK03F150]

How about auto-locking threads after 12 months or so? They can still be found by google, read by anyone & new members can just create a new thread for their 1st post.

I bumped this because I saw the newegg to Canada thread that was started in 03 get brought back from the dead. lol

[Dude111]

OK I'm thinking anybody who gets mad over the age of a thread needs some therapy anyway

I agree completly!!

Nothing wrong with dates,i have said it time and time again

If you have something to add and the links in the thread ARE STILL VALID,whats the big deal??

[GroundZero3]

You are right dude111 but ive seen a couple of your post from threads from several years ago that added NOTHING at all to the thread.


Let the dead threads rest in peace!