So I see this all the time. A thread closed because there was some thread awhile ago about the same thing. I get it when it is something topical, for example multiple threads within a couple days about a new mechanic or item or a game change.

This thread was just closed: http://www.forumwarz.com/discussions/view/36376-code-breaker-epeen

I’m wondering why it is so horrible to have a new discussion about something that was last discussed a year ago? Why would we want to direct those who are trying to solve a little in game puzzle to a thread that gives the answers?

Even for topics that aren’t like the Haxlrose thing, why is it preferred to necro a thread that is months, and at this point possibly a year+ old? Often those topics are using out of date info anyway. Log in to see images!

It’s not like Game Discussion is hopping with awesome active topics.

I agree with scully. As a mod on another forum, I will close threads and redirect people regarding topics that have been discussed recently or those who have just one answer. But in cases like this where there is an actual discussion going on, it seems silly to defer someone to an old discussion in which the people involved are either long gone or no longer interested.

(modsbum Log in to see images!

It is my opinion that the old thread has historical value. XOR 255 indeed. I love re-reading that one. However, I was grooving on watching the new folks puzzle it out. It’s a judgment call, and I glad I didn’t have to make it.

I tend to think that if people are actually having a fun, productive discussion, it’s a waste to close the thread, even if people had a similar discussion six months ago. It’s one thing when there are multiple active threads on the same topic at once, or if the topic is a pure “What’s this thing I didn’t bother to search for?” By the time a real discussion has started, though, it’s probably best to let that discussion go. Necroing an ancient thread so that people who weren’t around for the original can talk about it is… meh.

TL;DR: There’s few enough interesting active discussions, might as well take what we can get. If several people are interested, it can’t hurt that much to leave it be.

With a choice between no clutter and this place having a little more vitality, I’d say encouraging the latter would be the priority, though as mentioned there’s a limit based on how recent the dupe thread is.

Odalisque Posted:

I think your definition of clogging is off. I see the old threads as settling to the bottom of the forum. They aren’t preventing new discussions from happening or older posts from being found. I don’t see the problem.

I could see it if we were talking about relatively contemporary threads. Like, if there’s a bug, and I start a thread about it today, then in two days, someone else starts a thread about the same bug while people are still replying to mine, and while the explanation and the announcement about a correction are already in my thread, then, yeah, it’s just clogging up the forums and confusing people.

On the other hand, if it’s a post no one has replied to in a year, I don’t see it as distracting or “clogging” to start a new discussion on the topic. The only exception I can think of is “Someone asks a question that’s already been answered 20 times, and thus can’t spark a discussion.” Even in that case, though, if it moves past that into fertile territory… I say let it live.

Since from what I gather a closing thread feature is on the to do list, why not make threads automatically close after a couple of months of inactivity?

CrinkzPipe Posted:

Because in rare cases the thread ends up being very funny and FoWed. Should be a “closed thread” section that isn’t the CoS.

Well, maybe in RP. In non-RP, threads from the stone age shouldn’t be bumped as more often than not they contain lots of posts that aren’t applicable to the current situation = clutter. Besides, closed threads wouldn’t disappear, they’d just never be bumped again.