Old Thread Alert

[SecretSantaSquirrels]

Have you thought about this?
It happens regularly. I guess someone googles a phrase and comes across an ancient thread which they then resurrect. Often it's someone who has joined for the purpose of posting on said thread.
Tis vair annoying to start reading a thread and then realise it was started in 2009.
Lots of sites block new posts on dormant threads.

@SecretSantaSquirrels

Have you thought about this? It happens regularly. I guess someone googles a phrase and comes across an ancient thread which they then resurrect. Often it's someone who has joined for the purpose of posting on said thread. Tis vair annoying to start reading a thread and then realise it was started in 2009. Lots of sites block new posts on dormant threads.

This has come up before, and whilst it is a good idea, we've decided against blocking posts on dormant threads.

It would feel like we were stopping a conversation, and we like to let it flow wildly and free (and within our talk guidelines), with as little intervention from us as possible.

For example, if someone had googled a rare medical condition their DC had, and come across the thread, we wouldn't want to stop them reviving it to as for some much needed advice.

On the rare occasion a zombie thread is started for spurious reasons, it's fairly easy to deal it.

We hope you understand, but thanks for suggesting it - we do like hearing your ideas for the site!

Kate

Could you make the threads a different colour? (Say, anything where the last post is over 6 months old.)

I don't really see why you don't want stop threads being revived because the person could still read the thread then starting a new one and link to the old one if necessary.

However, if it was possible for the threads to show up a different colour that would be brilliant - it would save a lot of time reading threads about whether someone should do x, y or z only to find out that the issue is a year old or whatever. It's bloody annoying and usually done by people with an agenda, not genuine posters and when it is a genuine poster, 99/100 it's some ninny who doesn't realise the thread is OLD.

I started an 'empty nest' thread over 6 years ago when DS went to university - it gets revived every year and the first posts are still as useful as they were then - especially the tip -I think it was fom Lilymaid- that vodka and chocolate cake are better ice-breakers to give your DC than coffee and biscuits! I should think it'll still fit another year's worth of posts in before it hits the 1000 limit....

I wasn't familiar with the "zombie thread".
I appreciate that most people don't want a block on threads. I would just like a way of highlighting that the OP started the thread a long time ago. I like the colour idea Chipping.
PartridgeInARustyBearTree I've been steeling myself to read that empty nest thread. I will need it in 2014.