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Original poster

Can the zombie thread warning be made permanent?

36 replies

ToadsJustFellFromTheSky · 08/04/2015 19:06

I know the zombie thread warning disappears as soon as a thread has been bumped back up by a couple of posts but why? Could it not be made permanent?

It's annoying when you're reading a thread that looks recent only to realise it's actually a couple of years old (or in the case of a recently bumped up thread, seven years old!) and it's been bumped up again recently. But as the zombie thread warning has now disappeared there are people who don't read all the replies or check the date of the OP before posting and as a result reply to the OP as if it was happening now iyswim.

Also, is it possible for it to be made bigger and more obvious? I know it's pretty obvious already and quite frankly I have no idea how the first poster who bumps it up in the first place doesn't notice it but if it was even more obvious there would be no excuse. Maybe there could be one at the top of the thread as well as the bottom?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
YouMeddlingKids · 10/04/2015 14:16

Oh, I never noticed the date Sparkling I thought Getorf was back!

Sparklingbrook · 10/04/2015 14:15

The app sounds more rubbish the more I hear about it. Sad

meglet · 10/04/2015 14:14

you don't get a zombie thread warning on the app.

although, being a good mn-netter I always check the date .

Maryz · 10/04/2015 00:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ToadsJustFellFromTheSky · 09/04/2015 21:58

Even if threads are reanimated because the poster feels like they can contribute something to the thread even seven years later, I still think the warning should stay so other posters don't reply to the OP as if it's happening now iyswim.

They'll still be able to see it's a zombie thread and will maybe then go and check the dates. I think it would decrease the number of people who haven't read the full thread and then reply to the OP not realising it's a zombie thread and of course it would decrease the number of posters posting things like "check the date FGS!".

OP posts:
vindscreenviper · 09/04/2015 18:39

Look Becca zombie MNHQ threads from 2008.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/site_stuff/517214-fill-in-our-survey-and-win-a-trip-to-disneyland

Who did win the holiday to Disney?

vindscreenviper · 09/04/2015 18:38

Loving the zombie thread just under this one in Site Stuff! Somebody wants to win a comp from bloody years ago!

ThingummyJigg · 09/04/2015 18:33

I aim to please MaryZ (please don't eat my brian)

BertieBotts · 09/04/2015 16:55
Grin

Can you change somebody's username to "inactive" if they haven't logged in in X number of years?

IKnowRight · 09/04/2015 16:45

MN was rather more, erm, robust back in the day wasn't it Grin

MNHQ
BeccaMumsnet · 09/04/2015 15:57

That font is just amazing.

TheAnimatedRemainsOfMaryz · 09/04/2015 15:47

Excellent idea, Thingummy Grin

ThingummyJigg · 09/04/2015 14:32

Maybe the date of the OP's post could be highlighted in red dripping bloody font after a certain time lapse? Or their name could be amended to 'TheReanimatedRemainsOf[username]'

Ooh look at this zombiefont.com/zombified/1bkd

Sparklingbrook · 09/04/2015 14:19

The thread Maryz linked to upthread about the sex ed was a good example of how the thread was inexplicably bumped and people not RTFT came on to tell the OP exactly what they thought and it all made no sense whatsoever. Confused

ThingummyJigg · 09/04/2015 14:14

How about you send actual zombies to anyone who bumps a thread?

By now, frankly, any mner who hasn't got her zombie plan sorted by now isn't worthy of membership.

MNHQ
BeccaMumsnet · 09/04/2015 14:10

Hi everyone - we completely understand how frustrating it can be to be pulled into a zombie thread pointlessly reanimated by spammers or trolls.

However, more often than not, threads are quietly reanimated because posters will stumble upon a thread that they would like to contribute to, which can end up adding a lot of relevant discussion to the thread. A permanent warning, or a warning at the top of the page, could put people off contributing.

That being said, thanks so much for your suggestions here. We'll have a think about what we can do to cut down on spammy reanimation.

Oodear · 09/04/2015 07:24

Yes to delete AIBU ASAP

Yes to permanent zombie and-/or lock threads with only the op allowed to update.

TeddyBear5 · 09/04/2015 07:22

There was a more recent one asking about missing s private school entrance exam. Op came back years later to say 'oh yes this happened to us, can't remember why but it turned out fine'.

FruChristerOla · 09/04/2015 07:16

This is the 'answered herself 3 years later' thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_advice_tips/752184-hauck-stroller-pound-25-Asda

It was back in the day when you couldn't highlight the OP posts or your own posts - but it's still a mystery why she didn't notice it was her own thread Grin

Sparklingbrook · 09/04/2015 00:01

If you feel the need to bump an AIBU thread from 2008 I think you would be ok to start a new one. Nobody would say 'Oh god not this again we had this seven years ago'.

Maybe lock them after 2 years if not deleted?

LuisSuarezTeeth · 08/04/2015 23:59

Did you realise this is a Zombie thread? Tut.

DramaAlpaca · 08/04/2015 23:59

Yes, Sparkling, lots of threads in AIBU should be allowed to disappear quietly never to be seen again.

Original poster
ToadsJustFellFromTheSky · 08/04/2015 23:57

I don't actually mind that AIBU is kept. I do like going back and reading memorable threads every now and then. I just don't post in them and bump them back up unnecessarily Wink.

OP posts:
IHeartKingThistle · 08/04/2015 23:50

I clicked on 3 threads in Active convos this morning and all of them were zombie threads. I was so annoyed that I went and did some housework Angry .

Weird that there are so many at the moment though.