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

no1_vern · January 16th, 2009, 08:36 AM

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 · January 16th, 2009, 08:57 AM

hey thats a pretty good idea

vass0922 · January 16th, 2009, 09:01 AM

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

Steve R Jones · January 16th, 2009, 09:15 AM

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 · January 16th, 2009, 10:29 AM

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

sr71000 · January 18th, 2009, 05:55 AM

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 · January 18th, 2009, 08:32 AM

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 · January 18th, 2009, 08:45 AM

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 · January 18th, 2009, 08:55 AM

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 · January 18th, 2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.....

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.