Lock threads until OP returns

[larkstar]

There are so many threads where the OP never returns yet, especially if it's a contentious button pressing topic, good hearted (or less cynical) site users continue, often for pages, trying to posting (generally) helpful responses - I'm inclined to think the OP was not genuine on the first instance. Sometimes they don't return after getting their a?? handed to them on a plate in which case it's still probably a good idea to lock the thread. I'm suggesting lock the thread if the OP doesn't return after a full page of replies to save people from wasting time that could be better spent helping people on other threads.

Posters in the future may search an issue in a hope to find answers without started their own thread. Additional posts after the op has left may help them.

@PennySittingPretty I admit they are good points - I guess the ones that swayed the decision for why things are the way they are. I post because I think there is another way of looking at it - it's a balancing act. It's disappointing when people post and then disappear and I do wonder if it was a genuine post in the first place or a timewaster - there are more trolls and time wasters on this forum than any other I've been on - I really don't see it on any other forums.

Hi there @larkstar. We do see your point, and indeed, we do sometimes lock or close threads where it's clear to us that the OP won't return. If it's clear the OP wasn't ever genuine we'll often simply delete it. If the thread looks useful and is heading in new directions, we will occasionally let posters know that the OP is unlikely to return but we'll still leave the thread to run.

We don't lock or close those threads as a general rule though as there's often no telling if an OP might return, and it feels a bit brutal to just cut their thread dead because they haven't responded quickly. Sometimes life does just get in the way and Mumsnet is the last thing on their mind. As @PennySittingPretty mentions, we also prefer to leave threads to run when there might be useful advice or information that someone lurking but in the same boat might benefit from. Other times, despite it looking like the OP has vamoosed, the thread has gone off at a helpful tangent and it no longer matters. Given all that, we prefer not to have a hard and fast rule on it.

If you're ever concerned that either someone isn't genuine or isn't returning, though, do just hit the report button. We can always have a look under the bonnet and make a decision based on that.