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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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:
Maryz · 08/04/2015 22:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MangoJuggler · 08/04/2015 22:49

Yes I concur it would be a good idea.

Obvs have trained self over the years to automatically check date of OP #saddo

Original poster
ToadsJustFellFromTheSky · 08/04/2015 22:52

Maryz that's exactly the one I was referring to and was also the inspiration for this thread.

OP posts:
Littlefish · 08/04/2015 22:57

I was on a thread some time ago asking for the zombie thread warning to appear at the top of a thread so you would see it before you even started to read it.

MNHQ promised to look into it then, but nothing seems to have happened.

BertieBotts · 08/04/2015 23:01

Oh, yes, that one was disturbing, you can really see the growth of MN over the last few years - some posts in the first page or so wouldn't be left to stand any more, nor would most people dream of posting them.

Yes can it be at the top? And maybe stay for more than two posts. Sometimes pervs trolls or journalists bump them, one person replies and then the warning is gone. Or the perv troll posts twice to avoid the warning. Whether they do it on purpose or not I don't know - certainly I often double post just because I have something else to add.

BertieBotts · 08/04/2015 23:09

Although I do find it quite amusing when I find my own reply on an old thread and I don't remember writing it Confused The bookmark feature has now been around so long that it handily zooms me to the right place too.

And does anyone remember the thread where the OP answered herself three years later? Grin It was hilarious!

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

And does anyone remember the thread where the OP answered herself three years later?

I still can't figure out how that happened. Do you think she forgot to name change or something? Confused

OP posts:
Maryz · 08/04/2015 23:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DramaAlpaca · 08/04/2015 23:33

I'd support making the zombie thread warning permanent, and at the top of the thread too if possible.

I've noticed a good few baby names thread being bumped recently, where the OP's baby must be at least five by now Grin

I remember the thread where the OP answered herself three years later. Twas very funny.

Original poster
ToadsJustFellFromTheSky · 08/04/2015 23:34

I remember that thread but I can't find it. Does anyone have the link to it?

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 08/04/2015 23:48

YY to this. That one from 2008 today was ridiculous. Also why is AIBU kept for all eternity?

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.

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:
DramaAlpaca · 08/04/2015 23:59

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

LuisSuarezTeeth · 08/04/2015 23:59

Did you realise this is a Zombie thread? Tut.

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?

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

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'.

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.

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.

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.

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 14:32

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

TheAnimatedRemainsOfMaryz · 09/04/2015 15:47

Excellent idea, Thingummy Grin

MNHQ
BeccaMumsnet · 09/04/2015 15:57

That font is just amazing.