Old threads must be closed

[Jani]

Hello WTF,

I like to suggest one thing that "OLD" threads more than 3 months or even more must be closed.

I have created many threads here that are more than 6 months old but still people are replying to them and not all replies are useful, many of them are like "Thanks for sharing" kind of posts.

These old topics are also not visited by moderators because they have already read the discussions there and this is what spammers want, they know moderators will not come to these old threads therefore they target them and spam.

Please close all the old threads

[BiologyWebmaster]

I want to add my input on this, yes there may be some threads that are old to you, but there are new members registering to be part of webtalkforums everyday.

These "old" threads you mention may be very useful and relevant to a new member or even more yet a brand new webmaster who joins the forum to learn and review topics which can make them a better webmaster.

Isnt that the point of this forum? That is why I joined!

In my opinion threads need to be closed only if they are completely spam, trying to sell goods or services, or if they are posted in the wrong category.

But dont close threads just because you think they are "OLD"

Now I agree with removing "one-worded posts" or obviously generic "thanks for sharing" But all of the threads here on webtalkforums do contain content and information that is highly relevant to both new and expert webmasters worldwide.

Not everyone is an expert and they come here to learn, if you remove a thread that contains information that a webmaster needs, and they are unable to find it because it was removed. They may stop using webtalkforums all together, and I am sure that all of the administrators and moderators do not want that.

Maybe having more moderators or administrators to review older threads and make changes by removing spam posts and useless posts is what is needed.

[vectro]

I like to suggest one thing that "OLD" threads more than 3 months or even more must be closed.

I agree. Isn't there even a vB setting or plug-in for that somewhere?

I have created many threads here that are more than 6 months old but still people are replying to them and not all replies are useful, many of them are like "Thanks for sharing" kind of posts.

I know. The mods here have to keep up with manually removing 'thanks' posts and manually closing some of those threads as well.

These old topics are also not visited by moderators because they have already read the discussions there and this is what spammers want, they know moderators will not come to these old threads therefore they target them and spam.

I try to go back. These things could be automated and they should be.

Please close all the old threads

It would be nice to have something automated that does that.

Now I agree with removing "one-worded posts" or obviously generic "thanks for sharing" But all of the threads here on webtalkforums do contain content and information that is highly relevant to all webmasters worldwide.

People can create new threads with the same topic for fresh discussion. People often resurrect old posts just to spam them and add 'thanks'. Old threads become a big modding chore to keep up with since post-padders love to bring them back from the dead.

Maybe having more moderators or administrators to review older threads and make changes by removing spam posts and useless posts is what is needed.

Too much to keep up with. They should just be closed. Lots of forums do that to keep things nice and clean. Sometimes it can even look kind of awkward when someone replies to a post from 2007.

[BiologyWebmaster]

People can create new threads with the same topic for fresh discussion.

I can see how this can happen, but by closing a thread completely, all of the useful comments, tips and quality ideas offered by other members of webtalkforums will be lost forever!

If something relevant was said by someone, who is no longer a member for example, than that wonderful knowledge or suggestion they left us will be lost.

Also the opposite can occur as well, where someone left a useful post, then the thread gets closed, a new one is started and they simply do not want to repeat or repost what they said in the original post, which so many people thanked them for and found highly useful.

[vectro]

If something relevant was said by someone, who is no longer a member for example, than that wonderful knowledge or suggestion they left us will be lost.

Closed threads are not deleted. The info is still there.

[BiologyWebmaster]

Closed threads are not deleted. The info is still there.

Ok, I was under the impression that when a thread is closed that it is removed completely from the forum.

So when would there be a case that a thread is completely removed from the forum, could anyone provide an example of how this could happen?

[vectro]

So when would there be a case that a thread is completely removed from the forum, could anyone provide an example of how this could happen?

I'll give you 3.

1. Blatant spam
2. Obvious Link Dropping
3. Advertising Outside of the Marketplace

[Jez]

Some people target old thread to obtain page rank from the thread! because threads of more than 3 months with bounce rate can produce at lease PR2 which is too good for new people who new established websites

[CEEGHost]

Why don't you make a note/warning pop out to warn the member before he posts on a thread which is over 3 months old or something like that ?

That way they are likely to not post unless it is actually important...

[vectro]

Why don't you make a note/warning pop out to warn the member before he posts on a thread which is over 3 months old or something like that ?

That way they are likely to not post unless it is actually important...

I don't think there is a feature or plug-in to do that. It's easier to just close the threads, really.

[Jez]

While browsing other webmasters forum in which they installed a feature which never anyone to post in a thread which is more than 90 days old or so on!