Bumping old threads - would this help? (xenforo add-on)

[Altairsky]

Here is a good example of a zombie thread where someone is responding to an OP that hasn’t been online in almost a decade. There is likely useful stuff in the thread but the bump is not relevant. I think people don’t always check the date and some kind of heads-up might be helpful in cases like this:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/what-jobs-do-roosters-do.569493/

Yeah, I was about to answer that op too! It's so annoying. I just want to be warned before I start typing.

 

[DuckLady]

Here is a good example of a zombie thread where someone is responding to an OP that hasn’t been online in almost a decade. There is likely useful stuff in the thread but the bump is not relevant. I think people don’t always check the date and some kind of heads-up might be helpful in cases like this:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/what-jobs-do-roosters-do.569493/

Disagree. There is good info there that might help someone in the same situation. One person’s irrelevancy or annoyance is another person’s information goldmine. If you don’t find it valuable to you, just scroll by.
And calling them out here is an example of the unkindness I was talking about.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Disagree. There is good info there that might help someone in the same situation. One person’s irrelevancy or annoyance is another person’s information goldmine. If you don’t find it valuable to you, just scroll by.
And calling them out here is an example of the unkindness I was talking about.

I didn’t “call anyone out” I just pointed out that the bump probably wouldn’t have happened if the poster realized the OP wouldn’t be online to see it. There is nothing wrong with reading old threads and nothing wrong with the thread. It was just a timely example of the issue being discussed.

 

[RoyalChick]

Yeah, I was about to answer that op too! It's so annoying. I just want to be warned before I start typing.

If it bothers you so much why don’t you just look at the date of the thread before writing a reply?

 

[redinator]

I don't know that I like the idea of having to check a box acknowledging that you realize the thread is old (i have so many acknowledgement buttons i have to press daily at work, most of them entirely unnecessary). But I do think some sort of visual that a thread is not current or active might be helpful to let people know they may not get answers if they ask someone a specific question. Just my two cents.

I read through the old threads often for information, but occasionally I forget I'm reading and old thread and I'll make a comment on it.

Some sort of visual sounds like a good idea. It could be something simple like making the 'Post Reply' button inactive, with a popup or alt text that states "This thread is inactive, please start a new thread. . ."

Edit: Another option is to "Archive" threads older than (x days, weeks, months, years) that can be read for informational purposes, but not allow new comments/posts.