Common Threads: a Devil's Advocate Position

[Crunchy English]

I've done it more times than I can count. I have a question or curiosity and I jump on a forum to put my query out there. Then comes the dreaded "This thread happens all the time, use the search bar". Ouch, my pride. It didn't even occur to me, that an idea new to me would be old hat on the speed information highway that is the internet. I guess it's not exactly ground breaking to ask for book recommendations or about someone's favourite band.

But the internet moves so damn fast. Isn't it possible that a repetitive thread, especially one grounded in the opinion of the participants is justified in coming up again every so often? I'm not saying I don't wanna use the search bar, I should, and I feel stupid when I don't. But if it's been a couple weeks since someone asked who your favourite ninja turtle was, I think it's safe to say there are new members on this forum who have a different opinion, or that people might be have changed their minds recently.

In an environment as dynamic as the internet, is there any such thing as a "stale" topic?

 

[afrophysics]

I don't see anything wrong with bumping the old topic if you have something useful to contribute.

 

[tiredinnuendo]

This thread's been done before.

/wink

- J

 

[qbert4ever]

Instead of making a new one, just post in the old one. If you're unsure of if it's too old and you should start a new one, PM the mods.

 

[NewClassic_v1legacy]

I'd normally argue for you here, but one extreme is no better than the other. Certainly, topics that have aged beyond the Search function's utility, or perhaps those that have been worded in such a way as to be overlooked, then sure, a repeat topic shouldn't be too unreasonable a concept.

But to say a topic cannot get stale would likely be a very wrong one. Especially when you take into account the sheer amount of "Yahtzee" this and "He should have my babies" that. Granted, these aren't wrong, but they do get stale, as you would put it, upon many many moons of exposure.

Instead, we should focus on getting the threads that repeat onto the right track, reported, and then forgotten. For example: Let's pretend there was a thread on, oh, Near-Death experiences. The only post that should be made is:

No offense, but this is a repeat thread. This discussion is already going on here: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.72810

Feel free to post there if you want to continue this topic. Thread reported.

Easy as that. I think that "OMG U SHULD USE SEARCH", or even intelligent but stinging posts like "Hey, moron, while your penchant for discussion is amusing, you should use the search before making a thread," should take a back-seat to my example. It would clear clutter, and prevent new users from feeling alienated. Win-win.

 

[afrophysics]

New Classic, why say that you've reported it?

 

[Crunchy English]

Blast! Moderation and Common Sense the axis of my ancient enemies! Ok I think I learned something here:

1) Don't be afraid to bump a thread.

2) When in doubt, ask the people in charge

3) Certain topics just don't have a lot of meat on the bones.

For instance, everything that needs to be said here, has probably been said, thanks guys.

 

[Bling Cat]

I'd normally argue for you here, but one extreme is no better than the other. Certainly, topics that have aged beyond the Search function's utility, or perhaps those that have been worded in such a way as to be overlooked, then sure, a repeat topic shouldn't be too unreasonable a concept.

But to say a topic cannot get stale would likely be a very wrong one. Especially when you take into account the sheer amount of "Yahtzee" this and "He should have my babies" that. Granted, these aren't wrong, but they do get stale, as you would put it, upon many many moons of exposure.

Instead, we should focus on getting the threads that repeat onto the right track, reported, and then forgotten. For example: Let's pretend there was a thread on, oh, Near-Death experiences. The only post that should be made is:

No offense, but this is a repeat thread. This discussion is already going on here: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.72810

Feel free to post there if you want to continue this topic. Thread reported.

Easy as that. I think that "OMG U SHULD USE SEARCH", or even intelligent but stinging posts like "Hey, moron, while your penchant for discussion is amusing, you should use the search before making a thread," should take a back-seat to my example. It would clear clutter, and prevent new users from feeling alienated. Win-win.

And this is why NewClassic is so immensly popular around here. He thinks. Not that others dont of course, but he seems to use more of his brain than most humans.
Anyway, I think you can be agreed with to an extent. Starting up a game topic that has been done to death (I.E. The picture battle, TPBM...) Achieves nothing, as everyone who wanted to has participated to the full. But certain discussion threads that have been gone a long time could simply be tarted again,and nobody would notice. Though I find you're example of a few weeks a bit short. You clearly havent seen how small The Escapist is compared to other forums.

 

[NewClassic_v1legacy]

New Classic, why say that you've reported it?

Come to think of it, I'm not sure. A heads-up that it's been reported and it will thusly be locked? I dunno, just how my mind told me to do it. That'll yield a curious amount of introspection from me.

Good work, Afropysics, you've made a robot question his own logic. I compute, therefore I am...?

Hm...

 

[The_Deleted]

I've noticed on here an awful lot of threads with differing names that are essentially the same topic.
Although it does annoy me that every second post is the I.B.D.B. retort.

 

[Anarchemitis]

What I don't understand is how people think it would be a good idea overall to make a thread 'Post anything about music here'. In totality, who is going to find that interesting?

 

[000Ronald]

I can see both sides of the argument here; the newbies say

1) I want to know more about the people here
2) I think this thread is interesting and
3) Wait, there's a search button? (I've seen this a lot).

The seasoned veterans say

1) We've all already discussed this
2) We've already discussed this several times
and
3) We don't want the same topics clogging our forums

And while both sides have a point, what it creates, more than anything, is an enviornment fairly hostile to new posters.

I think that having a certain post count (350, maybe 400) before being able to post a topic would be the best option for preventing this. It assures that people who haven't been here very long don't, in fact, clog up the forums with old topics, as well as making sure they have a basic understanding of how the forums work before they post a thread.

That's my two cents, in any case. Do with it what you will.

Apologies Abound

 

[searanox]

This forum moves very quickly and has a very limited number of sections considering the wide range of content that is discussed. It's possible that common threads simply get pushed aside so quickly that it makes no sense to revive them.

 

[the monopoly guy]

Saying you at least used the search button and didn't find anything will shut me up.

 

[Ultrajoe]

This forum moves very quickly and has a very limited number of sections considering the wide range of content that is discussed. It's possible that common threads simply get pushed aside so quickly that it makes no sense to revive them.

Incorrect, take my 'Perfect Villain' thread.

Died months ago. Someone used necromancy and brought it back from the dead! It died again, of course, but not without a few dozen more posts!

New users mean new opinions. Threads never truly die.

 

[ObnoxiousTwat]

I don't see what the problem is recreating old threads. I mean if nobody is really ever going to post or even look at the old thread, it should be fine for somebody to bing it back for new discussion. People need to stop whining if the threads been done before. (This assumes that the old thread is dead and you're not just trying to copy a current one)

 

[Graustein]

I think that having a certain post count (350, maybe 400) before being able to post a topic would be the best option for preventing this. It assures that people who haven't been here very long don't, in fact, clog up the forums with old topics, as well as making sure they have a basic understanding of how the forums work before they post a thread.

I'm going to jump on the most obvious flaw here by pointing out that some people might have joined just to get a specific piece of information about a game; a system like this would greatly discourage them, and they might start throwing their question into completely unrelated thread.

However, may I suggest a checklist of sorts instead?
* Make a profile
* Look at the rules (maybe even have a little quiz)
* Post in a thread
* etc

Have people complete this checklist before being able to post a thread. Frankly I think a minimum of 350 (or even ONE hundred really) posts before being able to post a thread is a bit over the top, for those who just want a quick answer to their problems. If constructed properly this checklist would make new users rule-savvy while at the same time not alienating them

 

[Novajam]

I think part of the problem stems from a lack of policy. All that's said about new threads in the guidelines is:

Original posts. If you're starting a thread, make sure your first post seeds the thread with something to discuss. If you want to talk about a game, give us some background or post a mini-review. When you start a thread, ask yourself why other people should care.

It says nothing about repeated threads, nothing about necromancy. So if you want to make a thread about a previous topic then you've got three options.
1. Dig up the old thread, and likely be ignored.
2. Start a new one and have half of the first page of replies be "Use the search feature you Tool!" (usually regardless of whether you searched or not).
3. Wait until someone else uses option 1 or 2.

I think that having a certain post count (350, maybe 400) before being able to post a topic would be the best option for preventing this. It assures that people who haven't been here very long don't, in fact, clog up the forums with old topics, as well as making sure they have a basic understanding of how the forums work before they post a thread.

Minor problem with that. At that number, it'll effectively retire a couple of forum badges. But yes, some sort of post cap could work.

Coddamn why isn't the forums suggestions thread stickied?

 

[TheSteeleStrap]

Leonardo