Suggestion Auto-lock ancient threads?

  • Thread starter Thread starter AlephZero
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Reviving old threads from years past is a common issue, prompting the suggestion to automatically lock threads that haven't seen new posts in 12 months. Concerns were raised about locking potentially confusing users, as it might imply negative content. Some participants argue that locking threads could hinder discussions of new developments related to older topics, suggesting instead that users link to old threads in new discussions. There is also a proposal for a visual distinction for ancient posts to reduce confusion. Overall, the idea of locking threads remains contentious, with varying opinions on the appropriate time frame for inactivity.
AlephZero
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People keep reviving threads that died years ago. Maybe Google finds them, or sometimes they turn up on the "related threads" list in PF.

Why not automatically lock any thread that has had no new posts for say 12 months? If giving it a "locked" icon might be confusing (suggesting there was something bad about with the content), you could remove the part of the page that let's you create a new post.

EDIT: I see the "related threads" for this one are two from 2008, one from 2005 and one from 2004. I rest my case, m'lud :smile:
 
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I think it's not a bad idea.
 
AlephZero said:
EDIT: I see the "related threads" for this one are two from 2008, one from 2005 and one from 2004. I rest my case, m'lud :smile:

Well, there was a similar concern last month and there are reasons to not lock ancient threads.

https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=3222200&postcount=5"
 
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However if one wants to relate new devellopments to an old thread, one can simply link to that in the OP of a new thread. Mentors can merge those if desired.

Alternately maybe Greg can fix something to made palaeo posts disctinct by fading the fonts or so, so that MiH doesn't have to be promoted to the sixth order of whatever wizards to recognize them.
 
I'd say twelve months is two short. Three years maybe.
 
Andre said:
However if one wants to relate new devellopments to an old thread, one can simply link to that in the OP of a new thread. Mentors can merge those if desired.

Yes. I agree.

One could quote any relevant portion, if necessary, then give a link to that thread.
 

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