Is it Obvious When a Thread is Closed for Replies?

[Frabjous]

It would be nice when one is NOT a member, if it was obvious if a thread was not open for further replies.

 

[jedishrfu]

Are you experiencing a problem?

Usually our threads are open unless they start to go south or get derailed by some other discussion and then we have to close it for moderation to maintain the peace.

Sometimes old threads are closed when people start posting again to the thread. In general, its better to start up a new thread on the same topic. Older threads usually have dated info or past members who no longer post here.

 

[berkeman]

It would be nice when one is NOT a member, if it was obvious if a thread was not open for further replies.

But folks who are not members cannot post anyway...

 

[anorlunda]

But folks who are not members cannot post anyway...

I'm guessing is that he would like to follow the thread for new posts, or to recheck it periodically, even if he can't post himself.

 

[Frabjous]

Someone joined recently and commented about not being able to respond to a thread two minutes after their introductory post. I assume that an old thread inspired the person to join. It seems like a bit of false advertising on PF‘s part, and it is rarely good policy for someone to start off on the wrong foot.

It took me a while to learn to pay attention to dates here.

 

[vela]

I think It would be helpful if stale or locked threads were, say, rendered using a different color scheme in place of the usual blue theme to make it obvious.

 

[Mark44]

Someone joined recently and commented about not being able to respond to a thread two minutes after their introductory post.

One new member who joined yesterday made the claim "what is the point of a forum if all the topics are closed", a claim that is patently false. I don't know if we're talking about the same person.

I assume that an old thread inspired the person to join. It seems like a bit of false advertising on PF‘s part, and it is rarely good policy for someone to start off on the wrong foot.

In the list of threads in a specific forum section, any threads that are locked appear with a lock icon.

 

[anorlunda]

One new member who joined yesterday made the claim "what is the point of a forum if all the topics are closed", a claim that is patently false. I don't know if we're talking about the same person.

In the list of threads in a specific forum section, any threads that are locked appear with a lock icon.

Yes, but if someone arrives at a post via Google search, then he never sees the list of threads, never sees the PF homepage, nor the guidelines, nor the OP in the thread.

 

[berkeman]

nor the guidelines,

To join to post, they will need to agree to the guidelines/rules.

 

[anorlunda]

To join to post, they will need to agree to the guidelines/rules.

I think this OP joined PF just to complain about his PF experience from before he became a member. That's what I get from #1 in this thread. It's convoluted, I know.

 

[Frabjous]

I think this OP joined PF just to complain about his PF experience from before he became a member. That's what I get from #1 in this thread. It's convoluted, I know.

You found me out. I compiled a list of complaints with dates to complain on before joining. I’m a bit surprised it took over 8 years for my plan to be discovered.

I really don’t think this is poster dependent. It is just an observation that some people might be signing up to comment on threads they cannot comment on and that there might be a simple fix.

 

[berkeman]

Thread closed temporarily for Moderation (and possible restoration)...

 

[berkeman]

Posts by the OP have been restored.

@caz -- Please do not delete your posts in your thread after you have received replies.

Update -- thread will remain closed.