How to deal with old threads - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

ss · 01-26-2009, 01:32 PM

I know on most boards members really frown upon people bringing up old threads. Heck, some of them will give you warning points for posting to threads that haven't been replied to in a month. Anyway, I just found this site. There are lots of threads that have not had posts in a few years. Who is your favorite character and such. Since I just found this site, how do I deal with that problem. Will I be upsetting anyone. I would think not since we are all fans of the shows we post on and I know I would welcome anyone's opinion no matter when it came. I just wanted to check in here first. Well, OK, not first because I did post to two old threads on the MASH forum already but believe me, I am sensitive to the needs of others.

Thanks

TripperFan · 01-26-2009, 03:59 PM

I'm not a mod or an admin, but I would think it's quite acceptable if you were to see an old thread that did interest you, you could just start a new thread (even though it's on the same topic) again now. As there are always new members, even though older members might already have talked about the same subject, it's still new and fresh for a lot of current members. (Some will post with a "disclaimer" that "This topic might have already been discussed...but"

If I'm wrong about this, I invite a mod and/or admin to correct me.

This is a very welcoming, fun site and we don't want to put anyone off on feeling free to join in and post.

I for one, think your checking into it and asking is very gracious and nice. Hope you stick around and have some fun with us!

TJ · 02-09-2009, 12:02 AM

Welcome to the boards. The only types of threads that really shouldn't be bumped up are time sensitive threads from years ago. Those favorite episodes, favorite characters, etc. threads are timeless and people are adding to them all the time.

Schmoopie · 08-13-2009, 04:02 AM

Wow, I never thought about this before. I post on another board almost daily and they like for you to use old threads because a lot of people will post on the same thing and I guess it saves space or something. I've noticed threads from way back that I never saw before, and once I bump them, it's amazing how many new responses there are within a few days!

Chocoholic · 08-13-2009, 11:57 AM

I'd rather someone bump up an old thread rather than ask a question that has already been answered 25 times.

Schmoopie · 08-15-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocoholic

I'd rather someone bump up an old thread rather than ask a question that has already been answered 25 times.

That's a very good point!

Furienna · 10-19-2009, 10:48 PM

At one message board, I was told off both for starting new threads. And at another message board, I was told off for bumping old threads instead. But I think both of them should be okay. New members don't always know, if a subject has been discussed before. But it's also a good thing to search through old threads, so you don't have to start unnecessary new threads. But moderators could always merge identical threads together, so space could be saved and all posts on the same subject could be in the same thread.

Schmoopie · 10-21-2009, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Furienna

At one message board, I was told off both for starting new threads. And at another message board, I was told off for bumping old threads instead. But I think both of them should be okay. New members don't always know, if a subject has been discussed before. But it's also a good thing to search through old threads, so you don't have to start unnecessary new threads. But moderators could always merge identical threads together, so space could be saved and all posts on the same subject could be in the same thread.

That's a good idea; kind of like a frequent topic section. Sometimes it takes forever to search for a particular topic or thread, so that's why I will start a new one.

patrickinstardom · 12-29-2009, 04:12 PM

Well, it seems to be subjective sometimes.

I haven't heard of it before, but someone else brought up warning points. Well, I don't know how much this particular forum, but that would personally scare me from making any decision, lol.

Often, it's common sense whether or not to start a new topic. But when people "make bad judgment" it's never really with bad intentions. People don't mean to do it and from their point of view, they didn't view it as "wrong."

The issue I see is that it's so subjective, not just common sense. But would someone clear up the "warning points" please and how it pertains to this forum?

Rather than forums using warning points, it would seem to be much more productive to just send a message to a member about the "error" and just let them know, without actually adding warning points to their account! Of course, I don't know if this forum gives forum members warning points for bumping up old threads with new information.

Chelsea · 12-29-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickinstardom

warning points

Valid points, which is why we've never used them, at least not in any official sense.

spunkygirl · 12-29-2009, 07:07 PM

Personally I hate when really old threads are bumped, cause not everyone pays attention to the date on the thread and most likely is going to think it's a new thread, and could be replying to something from someone that is no longer around and whatnot.

Madame X · 12-29-2009, 10:55 PM

There have been occasions where I would like to revive one of my old threads that would interest newer members. Most of these involve photos that illustrate a point or add to a discussion.

Furienna · 12-29-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZKS

Personally I hate when really old threads are bumped, cause not everyone pays attention to the date on the thread and most likely is going to think it's a new thread, and could be replying to something from someone that is no longer around and whatnot.

But even if that's the case, new members can be interested in hearing what you think.

Furienna · 12-29-2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madame X

There have been occasions where I would like to revive one of my old threads that would interest newer members. Most of these involve photos that illustrate a point or add to a discussion.

Then you should revive those threads.

Mr. Television · 12-29-2009, 11:04 PM

I think most of the time it's okay to bump up old threads on the sitcom boards, as long as nobody goes overboard with it. Most of them are not time related and only has to do with the show. I think most people don't like real old threads on CC getting bumped up. Most of the real old ones are in the archives now and can't be bumped up so I don't think it's really much of a problem anymore.

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