Repeat Threads - Can we please have some official rules.

[Woem]

(You know, this topic itself has been done a dozen of times before as well.)

I don't like repeat threads since it's really not that hard to use the search bar. Sometimes a related topic has been created even the same day, or is even still on the first page or the hot threads list. I also don't like quasi-follow-up threads.

You know:
- 'Look at what PETA did now!' > 'Poll: do you hate PETA?' > 'Why do people hate PETA'
- 'Your First Metal Band?' > 'Why is Metal the dominant music genre on internet gaming forums?' > 'How did you get into the metal genre?'
- 'What's wrong with not wanting kids?' > 'Poll: children: general opinions' > 'Why have/want children?'

These are all actual recent examples.

 

[Dr.Poisonfreak]

In Internet time 4 weeks is almost a century.

Really, I have no problem with repete conversations, and nobody wants to chime in on the bottom of a thread that has been neglected for a week or more. Even when the conversations are even more frequently repeted, if they get traffic, in the end who really cares? The Search Bar brigade can always choose not to visit those topics and just leave everyone else alone.

Truthfully I can't see The Escapist caring too much since I believe they support themselves through traffic and people viewing the advertisements they run.

i agree wholeheartedly with this
[small]that being said however in the thread this current topic is based on, i was quoted when the flaming began so i will just shut up now.......[/small]

 

[koichan]

I'm glad someone brought this up again, as it's the most annoying thing on the escapist forums by far!

Whilst obvious repeat threads are annoying, 'search bar' replies are much more annoying in my opinion.
Pretty much every single new thread has at least one 'use the search bar' reply in it from what i've noticed...

Another point i've noticed regarding this is that old threads do not bump up to the front page when replied to after a certain point. i haven't quite worked out if it's related to age, how many pages back in the thread list, amount of replies or whatever yet. but it does kind of defeat the point of using the search bar when all you'll get is an essentially read-only thread no-one else will see.
Unless people are advocating each particular thread topic is created once and never again, this is a problem.

Going back to the first post, i think 4 weeks is too much. personally i'd say: search through 5-6 pages of thread titles back, if it isn't there, start a new one.

A popular topic being repeated now and again is orders of magnitude better than "USE THE SEARCH BAR!!!¬" in every thread...

 

[Logan Westbrook]

If you folks want to work something out amongst yourselves, that's great, but by no means will it be the official rule.

If you ignore repeat threads, they'll vanish into the depths before you can blink. As annoying as 'search bar' posts are, they're not worth getting in a fuss over. Report them for low content posting and move on.*


[sub]* And actually move on. Don't post that you've reported it, that's just as bad[/sub]

 

[-Orgasmatron-]

People will always post repeat threads, there's nothing you can do about it so just get over it already.

 

[Insanum]

Ive just had a thought - Passive search bar?

If you press "new topic" and type in your title, that there would be a little box somewhere on the page with similar results.

THat way then you can see if its been done before?

 

[Erana]

If you folks want to work something out amongst yourselves, that's great, but by no means will it be the official rule.

If you ignore repeat threads, they'll vanish into the depths before you can blink. As annoying as 'search bar' posts are, they're not worth getting in a fuss over. Report them for low content posting and move on.*


[sub]* And actually move on. Don't post that you've reported it, that's just as bad[/sub]

Good point.
And do we really need an official rule?
What I usually do is take a gander at the OP. In all liklihood, they're newbies, so I say something to the effect of:

(Contribution to the thread)
Also, next time, use the search bar in the upper right before you make a new thread this time, alright? Repeat threads have a sort of stigma here.
Other than that, welcome to the Escapist, (OP)!

The problem is then solved.

 

[squid5580]

I don't know why, but I don't see how repeated threads really bother people... to me it's silly to take something so mundane so seriously. Whatever I guess.

Anyways, they are always going to happen because I don't think any of us on this site are interesting and creative enough to never make a repeated thread, it's just not going to happen. If they are so terrible why is it that the majority of users post and actually take the time to enjoy said repeated thread, and only a few others actually make a big deal out of it. People who have a problem with it are actually in the vast minority, and yet they don't realize it.

And yes using the search bar is easy, but ignoring a repeated thread is even easier.

True, but repeat threads push down other possibly more interesting threads. I dont think any of us have a problem with repition as much as we do with repetition on a daily basis. Its cool to make that metal thread but when it happens 3 times in a day or 10 times a week thats a bit much no?

The thing is when people insist on posting "use the search bar" instead of just leaving the thread alone to die then it keeps it bumped pushing out the "interesting topics." There is also alot of repeat threads that have been worded differently enough to start some great discussions.

 

[SilentHunter7]

It is not written, but I believe the unofficial rule for repeating is like 3 months or so. I'm not sure, though.

Depending on who you ask, it might be 3 millennia.

 

[Kuliani]

Official rule made: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.116827