Zombies...again.

[EwanWhosearmy]

I know this has been asked many many times. PLEASE can zombies be locked, and only reanimated by the OP, once they are over 6 months or so since the last post?

I've read 3 long threads this week, only to realise that the OP was from 2011 or 2012. There seems to be a thing that new users immediately start searching for old threads to reanimate, and with the growth in the site it's becoming all too regular. I don't understand why they do it, but it's really annoying.

[TheresABluebirdOnMyShoulder]

I think it completely depends what kind of topic is being discussed as to whether it's irritating or not. Like a PP said, if it's an old parking thread or something then it's a nuisance because it's irrelevant 5 years down the line. But lots of other topics are relevant for general discussion even years later. For example if somebody Googles pregnancy ailments and it leads them to an old thread with lots of helpful advice, they might not notice the thread is old and unwittingly reanimate it. Other people who then get involved are still benefitting from the old posts with advice, even if they are from years ago. So I don't think it's right to completely disable zombie threads when they are frequently still of use to people. But definitely a warning somewhere so people can choose to read and get involved or not.

Is it feasible to put a earning on every single post, where the date and time stamp is? So it would read something like "WARNING! Zombie Thread: 01/01/2001" at the top of each comment.

[Boogers]

Purple you're right, it did. It was something like

This is a zombie thread. Are you sure you want to resurrect it? with a little zombie next to it.

[EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans]

I think it's important to mention at this point that while zombie threads are highly annoying, Zombie's threads are always very welcome.

[PurpleDaisies]

Oh yes empress you're spot on there. We love Zombie.

[HelenDenver]

Well said, Empress

[Boogers]

Oh yes, Zombie we love you!

Zombies, however

[EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans]

the fact I don't recognise any of the user names

Funny, the first thing that normally alerts me is thinking "I haven't seen her around for ages!" or "Didn't she namechange years ago?"

[ShelaghTurner]

I must be the only person on here that doesn't mind zombie threads. A discussion is just as interesting whether it's 8 hours old or 8 years old.

[SauvignonBlanche]

Discussing someone's divorce or bereavement from 8 years ago may be 'interesting' but when people start to pile in to add their twopennworth and ask for updates it can feel morally questionable.

Most people don't do this on purpose and a bigger warning, before you can post on a zombie thread would help.

[ShelaghTurner]

Fair point

[LiviaDrusillaAugusta]

I think threads should be locked after, say, a month. If the OP wants to update they email MNHQ.

There was one a few weeks ago about someone's toddler. People were merrily commenting despite the fact that the child would be about 6 by now!

[TrippyMcTrapFace]

Spammers, witch doctors, spell casters, ie the ones we see most often resurrecting zombies on R'ships don't care a jot about the zombie warning on the thread. They just want it bumped up where it will be seen.

[LiviaDrusillaAugusta]

Most of the ones I have seen bumped are by people who appear incapable of understanding that a thread on page 2,000 of a board is probably not going to be that recent!

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

@IonaMumsnet - could all threads over a certain age be put into a particular colour - in the same way that I can turn my posts green - maybe all threads over 6-12 months old be automatically turned grey?

[RitaCrudgington]

Well they won't have got to it by trawling to page 2,000 Livia. They'll have searched "should toddlers wear reins", seen that the first hit is an interesting looking MN thread and dived in - not noticing that the thread dates from 1837, partly because MNHQ deliberately removed the zombie picture and replaced it with an invisibly discreet little note.

Also of course on lots of fora you'd be shot for starting a thread on anything that anyone had ever discussed before, so if you did start a thread on toddler reins you'd have a load of people yelling "FFS we already have a thread on this subject! It was in 1837, can't you be bothered to search?!"

Anyway, IMO MNHQ should a) reinstate the zombie picture warning b) introduce a pop up "This thread was last posted on in 1748. Are you sure you really want to post on it? Wouldn't you rather start a new one?" so that nobody could revive a thread by accident c) stop new members from reviving zombie threads - give them a 90 day qualification period to stop the bloody spammers, who are the most annoying and prolific voodoo artists.

[HelenDenver]

") stop new members from reviving zombie threads - give them a 90 day qualification period to stop the bloody spammers, who are the most annoying and prolific voodoo artists."

Genius.

[SoFedUpOfPeople]

I like the qualification idea.

Also, the warning (or color if that is used) used to go away after a nubmer of posts. So you would get the resurrection then fifteen posts saying this is a zombie thread and one or two proper answers.

[firsttimemum15]

Why is it such a problem

[HelenDenver]

It's annoying to read about,say, a weaning problem, think you've got something helpful to say so you'll just read a few pages and check no one else said it.. then realise it's 5 years old and the child in question is no longer refusing mashed banana!!

[firsttimemum15]

But if someone recently commented they may have a similar issue. That reactivates the tread and they get personalised responses.
I did this recently not realising what a Z was and got some good responses. So i dont see the big deal. Mountains and molehills.

You could still contribute your useful info and someone still may benefit if the threwd is active.

[PurpleDaisies]

But if someone recently commented they may have a similar issue. That reactivates the tread and they get personalised responses.

Usually most of the responses are to the original author of the thread though. They're better starting a new thread for personalised responses and people don't have to read a load of posts that have nothing to do with the question that's being asked.

[firsttimemum15]

Dont read it if it really bothers you i totally disagree. It avoods repetition

[HelenDenver]

That's the point, first - it's read by accident as we think it's a current thread!

I would be happy with a big warning at the top saying "the OP is more than 12 m old" that didn't go away. Rather than locking.

I could then jump to the end of a bumped thread and see if it was an update, or a similar question (in which case I would answer that, not the OP, which would be more helpful)

[RatOnnaStick]

I too would like the zombie back please, he was cute. Maybe make him bigger and redder.

Also maybe every time someone types a comment and presses post, a popup asking if they are sure they want to post on a Zombie thread. Then they can positively say no or be eaten alive 💀

[MusterTheRohirim]

Why did the picture go? I liked it.

If threads were locked though, there wouldn't have been the amusing incident where a poster asked a question about a pushchair, no-one responded, then she answered herself about 3 years later, obviously completely forgetting starting the thread