Zombies

[marymungoandminge]

@MNHQ is there any possible way that Zombie threads could be made to show up in a different colour? and for full disclosure yes, I have been caught out in the past

I know I shouldn't really be bothered about this, but there is a particular thread this morning where people keep on and on posting with advice for the OP who disappeared MONTHS ago - and it isn't just me who is getting driven mad by it, there are several reminders that it is a ZOMBIE thread.

I know that people use a variety of devices to access MN but surely, surely everyone can see at least a couple of posts before theirs which have ZOMBIE written repetitively and in bold.

It does beg the question of whether some posters read anything other than the opening post when deciding to respond.

I think you've answered your own question with that last comment. It always amazes me that posters can join a thread (not just zombie threads), appear only to read the OP, ignore the fact that there are 650 messages already, then make a comment that adds nothing new to the discussion (particularly if the OP has provided updates).

Some news websites which have things like "top 5 stories" will automatically label ones that are not recent (sometime an old story gets fresh clicks because it's linked to by a new story).

Maybe MNHQ need to have some function that inserts a (flashing / bold) message at the top of the OP, if that OP is more than 1 year old.

@DadDadDad yes exactly.

Don't want to stray into TAAT territory but there is a very long thread that isn't a zombie this weekend and still the posters can't be bothered to see what 800 other people have said.

I don't think that behaviour can ever be stopped. I can understand your --> , but maybe we just have to laugh that someone just reads the OP and fails to notice that the stunning insight they now so oh-so-graciously wish to share with the world may just have been covered in the 800 posts that preceded theirs!

There's certainly little excuse for not at least checking to see if the original poster has posted some updates before leaping in...

Thanks for flagging this, @marymungoandminge, and believe us, we totally understand your frustration here!

We obviously have a warning ready in the text box, for anyone tempted to post on an old thread. In case you've never seen it, reads: Heads up - this thread has not been posted on for over a year. Why not start a new thread instead? But, obviously, not everyone takes heed of this - and subsequent posters often don't notice until it's too late that they're posting on an ancient thread.

We'll certainly flag up your idea of zombie threads appearing in a different colour because it's a good one.

Thanks again.

Ooooh - I had a good idea

Sadly it won't help on the highchair thread though

I am deeply ashamed to say that I have responded to a "z" thread myself today

Hoist by my own petard!!!!!!

(But it definitely didn't have the little spiel in the box to prompt me)

I love zombies

My favourite is the carpet one