Zombie threads - revamp hasn't solved this, I see

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Just saw a thread (locked now) from 2007, which someone revived in error today. As usual, dozens of replies from people who didn't look at the date, giving advice which is now 15 years too late. Is there really no way to lock threads after a certain period, or have them show up in a different colour, or watermarked with ZOMBIE, or just anything, really?

MNHQ sadly still seem very reluctant to do anything about zombie threads. There have been so many sensible ideas given over the years. I think unfortunately you like so many before you are on a hiding to nothing.

The lefty place to live sucked me in.

And now it’s been deleted.

My suggestion:

• all threads locked after 3 (or 4 or 6?) months of inactivity but can be revived by the original poster


• if someone really wants to revive an older thread they can contact MN who will permit on a case by case basis

The Ritz one is locked, but it's in Trending! No wonder so many posters piled in.

Is there still a warning that the thread hasn't been posted on for ages, before someone revives an old thread? If so, I don't see how anyone can claim they were unaware how old the thread is as happened with the one from 2007 today.

Custardy The problem is it only takes one idiot to revive a thread and after that the warning disappears.

The warning is in small letters. It needs to be in huge capitals, bright red and flashing, preferably with a weird shrieking sound in the background. Or, simpler solution, all threads locked once nobody has posted on them after x number of days or weeks.

Yes, I realise that, but so often the "culprit" claims to be unaware that they have revived an ancient thread. It's enough to make one 'tut' it really is.

I'd be OK with any of the ideas Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g has come up with, but I haven't chosen one because I'm too indecisive. Well, probably. 😋

No need to do anything if anything it adds to the site’s entertainment value.

@LilacPoppy exactly. Maybe someone was looking for something.. I don't understand why people go out of their way to point this out. Just scroll on its more annoying than the actual zombie

It is really irritating when you have read a thread and you are formulating a response when you realise it is 6 years old. it doesn't add to entertainment at all.

Turn your notifications off or something obviously not everyone has read the same thread you have.

I wonder if this is because it's harder now to set date parameters on 'search'. So people are unwittingly finding threads from the dark ages if they are searching for threads on a certain topic.