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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

For the 9th time - zombie threads

115 replies

BIWI · 24/10/2021 17:39

There's obviously a reason why people don't realise threads are zombie threads - partly it's because the warning posted by MNHQ only applies to the first person who posts on a thread. Thereafter, it's down to posters replying to that first person.

But even if people then go on to post 'this is a zombie' thread, it gets ignored - highlighting just how many people don't bother to read anything other than the OP.

I know it's been asked about before on here, but nothing ever seems to get done - you say you'll pass it on to the tech team, or will raise it at your next meeting (or whatever), but still it carries on.

Is there a reason why nothing has changed?

(I know some posters don't care, but there are a lot of us for whom this is really irritating, so I'm asking for me and all of those Grin)

OP posts:
PinkStink · 26/10/2021 09:11

@Rogue1001 that's what I said

Flittingaboutagain · 26/10/2021 03:25

@MichaelMumsnet - I recently posted on a six year old thread having googled an experience I was having with my baby and the OP and others from back then replied with lovely reassuring responses. It was a heart sing moment.

Please don't just automatically lock them.

SnowyPetals · 26/10/2021 02:31

The best zombie thread I have seen on here was in the Small Pets section. Someone had posted asking about keeping the hamster in her three year old's bedroom. Someone revived it A DECADE later with their sage advice, only for the OP to return with the rather unsurprising update that both the hamster and her son's toddler self were long gone!

Rogue1001 · 26/10/2021 01:55

@PinkStink

I care too. It's really irritating. It makes posters look ridiculous.

I also think there should be a point in which a thread could be closed. Carpet fitter anyone?

I've seen 2 recently where the poster resolved a situation but the pile on continues. It's horrible and reinforces the reputation of vipers on here.

Hahaha ha.

it makes posters look ridiculous???

No. Posters make themselves look ridiculous.

And I have been that poster, and I was mortified.

But unlike you, I only blamed myself (what with it being my own fault) and didn't seek to put that responsibility onto someone else.

I might get caught put again.

But mostly I take responsibility for my own actions.

BTW, the carpet fitters thread fills me with joy 💕💕💕💕

JulesRimetStillGleaming · 26/10/2021 01:02

@ImUninsultable

Without zombie threads, we would never have had Echo, who posted asking for advice about a pram and no one replied but then.... she replied to herself years later saying how she thought the pram was great, not realising she was replying to herself. It was funny.

This was the only time in history that a Zombie thread was entertaining and it was spectacularly so.

Mostly they're irritating and sometimes upsetting. I still don't think people want to have people coming back years later asking for updates on their trauma like they've missed several episodes of Eastenders and want an update. Or a spammer has resurrected something for no good reason.

WithMyEncyclopedia · 25/10/2021 19:53

[quote Sparklingbrook]Carpet fitter thread is finally dead. Thank goodness for that.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/1451929-Help-Carpet-fitter-has-just-stormed-out-AIBU?pg=1[/quote]
6 and a half YEARS ago someone posted on that thread:

TheEfficiencyMovement Sun 01-Feb-15 00:28:05

...and this is why the current MNHQ policy of removing the zombie thread warning after a few new posts on a zombie thread DOESNT WORK.

The zombie thread needs to remain on all old threads even if they are revived and the warning should be at the top and bottom of the thread.

Hth

cough cough......

Sparklingbrook · 25/10/2021 19:06

I'm still puzzled as to why nobody ever resurrects a Zombie thread that has a couple of posts on it. They are always pages long.

I also think that if the poster resurrecting it turns out to be a troll and their post deleted (which happens a lot), the Zombie warning should start again

iklboo · 25/10/2021 18:40

Wow. That thread is in Year 5 at is the milk monitor for its class!

Gwenhwyfar · 25/10/2021 18:39

Zombie threads can be interesting. I don't see the harm. As for OP not replying, well that happens on all types of threads.

Sparklingbrook · 25/10/2021 18:31

Carpet fitter thread is finally dead. Thank goodness for that.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/1451929-Help-Carpet-fitter-has-just-stormed-out-AIBU?pg=1

Sparklingbrook · 25/10/2021 18:27

@ImUninsultable

Without zombie threads, we would never have had Echo, who posted asking for advice about a pram and no one replied but then.... she replied to herself years later saying how she thought the pram was great, not realising she was replying to herself. It was funny.
That gets mentioned every time a thread about sorting Zombie threads comes up. As if that's a reason for not sorting them out. Confused
Viviennemary · 25/10/2021 18:25

I find them very annoying indeed. But this has been discussed before. No reason why a thread cant be locked after a certain amount of time has passed sincd the last post.

ImUninsultable · 25/10/2021 18:22

Without zombie threads, we would never have had Echo, who posted asking for advice about a pram and no one replied but then.... she replied to herself years later saying how she thought the pram was great, not realising she was replying to herself. It was funny.

PinkStink · 25/10/2021 18:11

Yeah it's odd isn't it? I've learned the hard way!

ErrolTheDragon · 25/10/2021 18:10

Oh I can see it on the tablet app but you must pull it down to see the date pop up.

So it does. Well, it had never occurred to me to pull down like that, there didn't seem to be any need to so I'd say that fails the 'discoverability' criteria of interface design. And wtf not just always have the date there anyway?

Sparklingbrook · 25/10/2021 17:52

I've never enjoyed a Zombie thread. Although seeing people not read the thread and replying to a 10 year old post is mildly entertaining. Grin

Oftenithinkaboutit · 25/10/2021 17:34

And every time it demonstrates that some find it irritating and some enjoy them.

BIWI · 25/10/2021 17:07

@Oftenithinkaboutit

Op Our of interest Have you started a thread on this issue 9x?
Er ... no!

It was a joke but refers to the number of times this issue has been raised in Site Stuff by other posters.

OP posts:
Oftenithinkaboutit · 25/10/2021 17:00

@IveGotASongThatllGetOnYNerves

I agree that colour coding is a simple and effective way of highlighting it.
Are we all in reception? Grin
IveGotASongThatllGetOnYNerves · 25/10/2021 16:45

I agree that colour coding is a simple and effective way of highlighting it.

Oftenithinkaboutit · 25/10/2021 16:42

* For the 9th time - zombie threads*

Batshittery · 25/10/2021 16:38

@Oftenithinkaboutit

Op Our of interest Have you started a thread on this issue 9x?
Have you read the title of this thread? Grin
Oftenithinkaboutit · 25/10/2021 16:27

Op
Our of interest
Have you started a thread on this issue 9x?

PinkStink · 25/10/2021 16:21

@ErrolTheDragon

I should have been more specific - tablet app
Oh I can see it on the tablet app but you must pull it down to see the date pop up.
Oftenithinkaboutit · 25/10/2021 15:47

I like the zombie threads

As do others.

So….