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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

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:
WithMyEncyclopedia · 25/10/2021 15:46

If it causes posters such angst, why not just look at the date.
You have fundamentally misunderstood this thread. The problem is not that I cannot read the date.
It's been explained several times what the issue is. I use my eyeballs and reading ability to read the posts on a thread. I'd recommend!

Oftenithinkaboutit · 25/10/2021 15:31

@FGSWhatNow

I've said this before, but the zombie warning needs to be AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE, NEXT TO THE OP. It's no use at the bottom, where you have to read the whole bloody thread before you get to it.
The date is at the top of the page.

If it causes posters such angst, why not just look at the date.

Causes me zero angst. Yet I still very briefly move my eye ball to the right to click to tune. It’s a nano second at most.
I’d recommend

iklboo · 25/10/2021 15:14

That is SO weird and not very consistent.

ErrolTheDragon · 25/10/2021 14:31

I should have been more specific - tablet app

For the 9th time - zombie threads
iklboo · 25/10/2021 14:27

@ErrolTheDragon - I can on mine. It's an iPhone.

For the 9th time - zombie threads
ErrolTheDragon · 25/10/2021 13:48

The issue is only with lazy posters who've not bothered to read the OP accurately enough to notice the date.

You can't see the date of older posts on the iOS app.

Original poster
BIWI · 25/10/2021 12:27

cos they generate Site Stuff threads called things like, 'For the 9th time...

Sorry @MichaelMumsnet not sorry Grin

OP posts:
EmotionalSupportBear · 25/10/2021 12:13

the best answer to Zombies, bar closing them, is a big pop up that reads.

"This thread was originally posted in 2016, Are you sure you want to post a reply to it"

that comes up for the next 10 posts after its resurrected, invariably by a spammer.

MNHQ
MichaelMumsnet · 25/10/2021 11:59

Hi all. Zombie threads are something we're looking at - we're doing a load of work on updating the MN platform and zombies are on the list of things to fix (cos they generate Site Stuff threads called things like, 'For the 9th time...').

The Sleep section - we're plagued by 'sleep spammers' promoting their blog/services and although we've stopped scores of posts, they're persistent blighters and managed to get a couple through this morning - generating more zombie threads. We'll continue to hide/ban.

We can lock/close old threads - but it's a manual process (for now). So if you do see any zombie threads then please report and we'll try to close them before they cause too much upset.

FGSWhatNow · 25/10/2021 11:36

I've said this before, but the zombie warning needs to be AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE, NEXT TO THE OP. It's no use at the bottom, where you have to read the whole bloody thread before you get to it.

Puppermam · 25/10/2021 11:28

I just think it's ridiculous that people care if it's a zombie thread, popping up sitting "ZOMBIE" as if anyone gives a shit. It won't stop people posting on it if they want to post on it. So why bother?

WithMyEncyclopedia · 25/10/2021 11:26

Anyone else seeing ads for "trips and falls experts" on this thread? Is "zombie" a key word for these advertisers?!

WithMyEncyclopedia · 25/10/2021 11:24

, obviously!

WithMyEncyclopedia · 25/10/2021 11:23

@Puppermam

Life is WAY too short to care about people posting about old threads on an internet forum.
Yet you cared enough to post about it, just like I did! Life's funny like that, isn't it?
Puppermam · 25/10/2021 11:17

Life is WAY too short to care about people posting about old threads on an internet forum.

Berkeys · 25/10/2021 11:14

I like zombie threads, they add to the variety of posts, which are getting a bit samey of late.

WithMyEncyclopedia · 25/10/2021 11:12

So IMO the answer to this would come from highlighting the date posted (for posters who don't bother to look properly), rather than suggesting new posters don't post on zombie threads. You then get the option to open a thread, see it's a zombie and leave. Or open a thread, see If it's a zombie and still scroll to the bottom while knowing it's a zombie.

Yes, this thread is about suggesting how it can be made completely clear to all posters that the op was a very long time ago. Not that they shouldn't post on it. The colour coding is the best idea imo.

Any thoughts from MNHQ?

Original poster
BIWI · 25/10/2021 11:10

I don't think anybody would want threads to be deleted though @FATEdestiny. So the good advice would still be available.

OP posts:
Oftenithinkaboutit · 25/10/2021 11:10

Zombie threads are frequently resurrected on the Sleep Board.

The issue is only with lazy posters who've not bothered to read the OP accurately enough to notice the date.

Lazy.

More perhaps… sleep deprived? Grin

FATEdestiny · 25/10/2021 11:07

Zombie threads are frequently resurrected on the Sleep Board.

The issue is only with lazy posters who've not bothered to read the OP accurately enough to notice the date.

There are some threads (one in particular) that are ancient but it is usefully bumped for reference to new posters. I wouldn't want to lose that ability.

I don't see a problem with new posters asking "how did this turn out?". Often the old OP of the zombie thread does come back to answer. Or a new poster reads, uses and posts on a zombie thread saying that the advise is helpful.

On the sleep board the ability to look back at older problems is really valuable, because issues with baby sleep are universal and the same problems are solved year after year after year.

So IMO the answer to this would come from highlighting the date posted (for posters who don't bother to look properly), rather than suggesting new posters don't post on zombie threads. You then get the option to open a thread, see it's a zombie and leave. Or open a thread, see If it's a zombie and still scroll to the bottom while knowing it's a zombie.

WithMyEncyclopedia · 25/10/2021 11:00

[quote Hopeisallineed]@WithMyEncyclopedia just don’t read it then![/quote]
Just don't read what?

Oftenithinkaboutit · 25/10/2021 10:55

Perhaps just read the date if bothered
It is on the opening banner of the OP!

RedskyThisNight · 25/10/2021 10:53

@Oftenithinkaboutit

But if you don’t like them Can’t you just…. Move to another thread?
The annoyance is when you spent a lot of time reading through the thread without realising the dates and then it becomes clear that you've wasted your time.

The other annoyance is when people search for a keyword (this happens a lot on Education threads where people search for a school name) and then they add a post to every single thread regardless of when it was originally posted asking how the OP's experiences, thereby filling up the board with old threads.

I agree that threads should be locked if not posted on for a certain time. If the OP wishes to add an update, they can always start a new post and link to their old thread.

MakingTheBestOfIt · 25/10/2021 10:53

Someone may already have mentioned this, but have you thought about some sort of warning system on zombie threads?

(Sorry, couldn’t resist. I’ll get my coat…)

Oftenithinkaboutit · 25/10/2021 10:51

Exactly

I’ve got a lot from zombie threads in the past.

The issue being discussed is often still relevant to some irrespective of how long ago first posted

Threads don’t appeal to me. I click, read, close

Why can’t you do the same?