A little help...

[Captain_Bob]

Thought I'd throw this question down here in the Tech Forum to keep it out of the fray...

My question is this:

Why is it really that bad to post in an old thread? In the most recent example... we have a JC newbie who did exactly what we preach to every other newbie on board... he did a search for the info he was looking for... and when he found a post that had specific information he wanted... he posted in it.

The thread was subsequently closed/locked with an admonishing remark to not post to old threads.

If that's the case... then why don't we just lock all threads past a certain age... or at least place a NOTAM in "The Rules" that forbids folks from posting in a thread past a certain age.

Now I know that the most recent issue had to do with a "hot topic"... but the guy seemed sincere.

By contrast... If someone truly has questions or something to add... and they start up a new thread... then they get the old: "Not this again!", "Oh Boy... Here we go again!", "Horse... Water... Why ain't you drinking?", or "Do a search!".

I believe that there are very specific differences between true "necroposting" vs. searching for the apporpriate information and posting to add or gain more info. Have we truly said all that there is to possibly say about every old topic that's been posted on JC? I'm sure some would say yes... but if we eliminate the potential for open discussion... then we just become a simple online archive vs. an interactive networking forum where people help people.

Bob

[GatorFC]

I kind of agree with you here, Bob. On other online forums I belong to (mostly sports-related) necroposting isn't looked on nearly as bad, if at all, as it is on JC.

Now, I agree that some threads are necroposted for no reason at all other than to play around and those should be locked. But, some are brought up for legitimate reasons as Bob has stated.

Maybe resurected threads should be looked at on a case-by-case basis and not summarily be stamped as "bad" just because of the born-on date.

The mods do a great job, and I'll abide by the rules of Doug's Living Room, but that's just my $0.02.

[MQAAord]

The guy re-opened *3* old threads (one 9 months old, the others 2 years old) about the same subject, and these are his ONLY posts. In one, he says to "let us know if you have any questions about Jet U". Those things smack to me of someone looking to either stir the pot, or get some free advertising for Jet U. Especially since he also said that he HAD searched about Jet U, but STILL asked what everyone thought. It's pretty obvious when reading the past threads about Jet U what people think of it here. From a mod standpoint, I really hate seeing new threads about Jet U, cause they ALWAYS turn into a poo-storm that eventually needs moderating and usually moving to the lav.

Necroposting is a personal pet peeve of mine because it can be very confusing to someone reading the thread if it's current info or not. Something written 2 years ago can be very out-of-date in our industry. I would rather see someone start a new thread, and maybe using a reference or link to the old thread if they feel it's necessary. I would LOVE to see an auto-lock feature on every thread that locks it after, say, 2 months of non-activity in the thread.

[Doug Taylor]

As always, if you've got a question about moderation, I'd appreciate an email or private message, else it's a public trial with an audience of thousands.

It largely depends on context.

I see "necroposting" like this.

The larger a thread gets, the less apt people are to read it because the shear amount of posts can be overwhelming when you're looking for an answer. If a user 'refreshes' a thread which has been dormant, especially on a "beat the dead horse, ate it, pooped it out and then beat it some more" like the everpresent Gulfstream/Jet U issues -- many of which we have saved examples of the entire evolution of the topic saved in "Hot Topics", it doesn't add value.

Additionally, on a large board, there's a "cold war" of sorts going on. I have to continually sniff-out spammers and also keep an eyeball out for new users that, for the lack of a better description are "web pyromaniacs" -- people that log in, start or rekindle conflagrations and merrily watch it "burn".

If it's a legit question or the post adds value to an archaic thread, it's one thing, but if we've got a dumpster full of dead, fully-evolved Gulfstream/Jet-U threads and a user still has a question, chances are they're not going to appreciate the answer which they are given.

You know, can't see the forest for the trees, yadda yadda yadda.

[Captain_Bob]

I was kinda being facetious about locking posts past a certain age...

I understand that this is a pet peave of yours and I appreciate the work you do otherwise... but still.

In reading his posts... I'm not seeing what you are. Maybe I'm not looking at it right. In the thread entitled "Jet Univeristy ???" post number 44... he is responding to Cherokee Cruiser's Post by stating:

I did a tour on monday,but them came across forums saying its a scam... Should I stay away or try to become the top 90 + % that gets hired.. Let us know if you have more info about JU...

What I'm seeing... is him asking a sincere question to Cherokee... and asking him to let "us" (as in the forum folks) know if Cherokee has any more info about Jet U.

I think that statement of his may have been misunderstood... since you are seeing him asking folks on the forums if they have any question about Jet U... when that doesn't appear to be the case at all.

In the thread entiteled "Jet University", post number 31... he is responding to bwade's post and asking his opinion of what he should do based on what he's researched from the JU site. He didn't try to change anyone's opinion and in fact he gave bwade his e-mail address to communicate with him since bwade gave one of the least negative responses and it's obvious this guy is at least interested in the program.

I understand that it's bad form to open old wounds/threads... but I also understand what it's like to be new and un-informed when it comes to vbulletin forum etiquette and of course... different flight training programs.

Again... just my two cents. But I think the "peave" part may have caused a jumping of the gun on this one. What I saw as an innocent by-stander... what a guy that actually did search the forums, and found posts that had some info that he was searching for... and he posted in those threads to gain some more info.

All that being said... I don't know this guy... nor do I endorse Jet U in any way. I'm just concerned about the lightning quick closures. If we auto-lock old threads... then we just become an online database and nothing more.

It's not my house... I know... so just take it as a suggestion from a friendly neighbor.

Bob

[Captain_Bob]

Doug,

Just realized that you were probably replying when I was... sorry about that.

Feel free to move this one to the Star Chamber...

Bob

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by Captain_Bob

Feel free to move this one to the Star Chamber...

Sheesh, don't do that! I still don't have an Inner Circle decoder ring. I hate being out of the loop!

[DE727UPS]

"The thread was subsequently closed/locked with an admonishing remark to not post to old threads."

That gave me a second glance as well. I took the guy's posts as being a bit flamebaitish. Think that had something to do with it. Liked Doug's comment on JetU, too, before he locked it.

The other site I'm involved with has no problem with necroposts. I'm in favor of that. Sometimes they stir up some good necroconversations.