Posting to old threads, why is it so bad?

[IslanderGuy]

Why is it such a bad thing to post to an old thread? I can see if you post to a time sensitive thread four years later, expecting a response it could be bad (Like "Item for sale" or "Looking for crew for this trip") but the vast majority of threads are not time sensitive and every one would agree that you should search the forum before posting a question.

A question like "What is your opinion for product X" is not time sensitive, and people for many, many years to come may be looking for input on the item specified, or giving input as there item ages. Personally I like to be able to find this information all in one place when I am researching something.

Here is a great example....

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...p-coating.html

I had never heard of Durabak until this weekend, so I came to Sailnet to find out more opinions. This was the first thread I found. Sure, the guy responded to a "Five years, eight months and eleven days" old post, but the information is still relevant. Not to the OP likely, but to us coming along later. researching.

Also, I have found really interesting topics that where drug up from the depths of the archive by someone, about things I had not hear of, just because they added more info at a later date.

My opinion is add relevant information to a post, no mater how old, as long as the information is not time sensitive.

Some other technical forums are adopting this approach as a whole style of forum. Stack Overflow, for instance, really tries to consolidate topics into one thread, and then order the responses by relevance by a voting system, rather then in a conversation style atmosphere. I do not think that approach is so good for building community, and would not work everywhere but if there was a way to foster that process here for how-to or product review type of questions, I think it could be good.

Searching for Durabak, I got 30 results to sift through to get the gist of peoples experiences. A single topic of Durabak Reviews that people feel they can add too at any time would be most helpful. Unfortunately, the "old post" bashing discourages this. I would rather see an attitude of search first, and if you can, add your comment / question to an existing thread, keeping the conversation together, even if it spans a large amount of time.

Anyway, just my little $.02 rant...

Have a great day!

[casioqv]

I agree, I think the prevailing wisdom on this board regarding this issue is totally backwards.

It makes no sense to start a new thread about a topic already being discussed in an old one- no matter how old it is. It just fragments the forum and makes it more difficult to find information.

[smackdaddy]

+1.

Float whatever thread you want. Whoever came up with the idea that it's bad to do so just doesn't get it.

[AE28]

I agree with IslanderGuy.

[Faster]

Speaking personally, I don't see anything wrong with resurrecting an older thread when the awakening is on topic and a logical continuation of the discussion. However there are instances where a new poster might get more specific answers by starting his/her own thread.

Also, at times the OP may want to update the story based on the last year or two's experience with the item/issue/story.

The ones that make no sense are those that ask "how'd that go for you" of a long-gone poster who hasn't been on the board for years - it pays to check the date of any post/thread you are responding to (and the activity of the poster in question)

But as far as I can see, a new poster or someone scrolling through the lengthy archives can resurrect an old thread as long as it makes sense to do so.... Perhaps, to avoid any comeback you might preface your post with "I know this is an old thread but it happened to me today......" or words to that effect.

[F4d3d]

Originally Posted by AE28

I agree with IslanderGuy.

Me too.

[blt2ski]

Some threads resurecting are fine, others, there is one person that luvs to complain about one pulling up old threads, so even if and when you have said, "I know this is an old thread" he still pouts up the old thread bs.

Some old posts pulled back up make sense.

Marty

[Bene505]

Personally, I can't wait until this thread is old. So I reply to it!

Regards,
Brad

[smackdaddy]

Originally Posted by Faster

Perhaps, to avoid any comeback you might preface your post with "I know this is an old thread but it happened to me today......" or words to that effect.

I think the "comeback" should just stop. It's goofy - and obviously out of sync with what people want to do, which is reply to any thread they want to reply to.

[knothead]

Originally Posted by Bene505

Personally, I can't wait until this thread is old. So I reply to it!

Regards,
Brad

I just wish some people would respond to their PM's.