Don't let newbies attach to dead threads
06-19-19, 09:55 AM
#1
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Don't let newbies attach to dead threads
BF doesn't let newbies post pic's and other certain other stuff, so why not prevent them from dredging up old threads?
Many of the newbies are just one-time posters that were using google or another search engine to look up something and found a comment they took exception to or thought they had a revelation to add.
Maybe something as simple as a message that says they are going to annoy Iride01 if they push the submit button again.
Many of the newbies are just one-time posters that were using google or another search engine to look up something and found a comment they took exception to or thought they had a revelation to add.
Maybe something as simple as a message that says they are going to annoy Iride01 if they push the submit button again.
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06-19-19, 07:34 PM
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Shirley, you jest. Are they supposed to start thread number 3,947 on the same subject or should we just answer the same thread and leave it at that?
Chances are it will just get merged into another thread.
They're newbies. You and I are oldbies.
Chances are it will just get merged into another thread.
They're newbies. You and I are oldbies.
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Last edited by Rollfast; 06-19-19 at 07:39 PM.
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06-20-19, 07:40 AM
#3
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Something that would help - restore the date started info to the thread listing, like we had before the 2018 software “upgrade”. This is pretty much standard on forum boards such as this. I know if I am searching and see really old threads I usually will not add a post.
06-20-19, 03:24 PM
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@Rollfast -- Yes, to me starting a new thread on whatever their subject is preferable. The old conversation is just that many times, old and dated by new stuff. If the newbie is asking a question for a problem they are having, then quite often their problem is not quite the problem they posted on.
Why would it be merged into another thread? If that's true, why haven't they merged all the "which new bike should I get" threads?
@jimincalif -- That was my first and pretty much only annoyance with the new forum format when they introduced that. They said that they would put that feature back, but we are still waiting.
Why would it be merged into another thread? If that's true, why haven't they merged all the "which new bike should I get" threads?
@jimincalif -- That was my first and pretty much only annoyance with the new forum format when they introduced that. They said that they would put that feature back, but we are still waiting.
06-21-19, 12:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Iride01
[MENTION=88857]
@jimincalif -- That was my first and pretty much only annoyance with the new forum format when they introduced that. They said that they would put that feature back, but we are still waiting.
@jimincalif -- That was my first and pretty much only annoyance with the new forum format when they introduced that. They said that they would put that feature back, but we are still waiting.
I've mentioned it several times in this sub forum, I'm beginning to think they don't plan to do it.
06-21-19, 01:04 AM
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I don't know, ask your mother. I've got to pay the bills and make the world safe for Schwinns.
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06-21-19, 08:11 AM
#7
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Originally Posted by Deal4Fuji
I've mentioned it several times in this sub forum, I'm beginning to think they don't plan to do it.
06-22-19, 12:07 AM
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If you weren't aware, you can close any thread you started. Until then I hope you simply notify the moderators and let them do their jobs. This subject is a zombie itself.
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06-22-19, 08:36 AM
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Don't let newbies attach to dead threads
Apropos of this post by @Rollfast, there was this dust-up about deleting threads:
Originally Posted by Iride01
BF doesn't let newbies post pic's and other certain other stuff, so why not prevent them from dredging up old threads?
Many of the newbies are just one-time posters that were using google or another search engine to look up something and found a comment they took exception to or thought they had a revelation to add….
Many of the newbies are just one-time posters that were using google or another search engine to look up something and found a comment they took exception to or thought they had a revelation to add….
Originally Posted by Rollfast
If you weren't aware, you can close any thread you started. Until then I hope you simply notify the moderators and let them do their jobs. This subject is a zombie itself.
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
Originally Posted by Machka
You're right, I did start a thread like that.
You're also right that you could not find it.
I deleted it. .
You're also right that you could not find it.
I deleted it. .
Originally Posted by Roody
I contributed to that thread, my thoughts and ideas that I took some time to type out. How dare you delete the thread without permission of those who contributed?
I think this is outrageous. You have no right! How were you able to even do that?
I think this is outrageous. You have no right! How were you able to even do that?
Originally Posted by winston63
I've got to admit I find it very surprising that a thread starter can delete a thread…
To be honest I'm not all that comfortable with the thought that a thread starter can just delete someone's contribution at will.
To be honest I'm not all that comfortable with the thought that a thread starter can just delete someone's contribution at will.
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
So if may pose this question, What is the value or utility to you of looking up old posts/threads? I would assume that any useful information would be utilized soon after reading.
Early on after joining Bike Forums I copied and filed a few posts for their content and style, but not for years.
Early on after joining Bike Forums I copied and filed a few posts for their content and style, but not for years.
Originally Posted by Machka
...you do realise that everything you post here is temporary, right? I've been here long enough for there to be several server changes during which time posts were lost.
And it won't be long before this forum disappears entirely ... say, maybe, 5 years or 10 years.
If you think what you typed had some "Voice of God" like value, you should have saved a copy of it.
And it won't be long before this forum disappears entirely ... say, maybe, 5 years or 10 years.
If you think what you typed had some "Voice of God" like value, you should have saved a copy of it.
Originally Posted by Machka
… Comments on a forum, like life, are merely temporary. Like Rowan says... discussions here are like those which might occur in a pub. They aren't doctoral theses.
However, if there are comments I make which I think I might use again, I save them in a file. Then I copy and paste them into threads as desired….
However, if there are comments I make which I think I might use again, I save them in a file. Then I copy and paste them into threads as desired….
Originally Posted by cooker
I too am shocked that an OP can delete a thread.
Sometimes I consult past threads for research I or others have previously done on some topic under discussion; and sometimes I see posts that are very well written and thought out and I would go as far as saying they are literary contributions that deserve to be archived for posterity…
Sometimes I consult past threads for research I or others have previously done on some topic under discussion; and sometimes I see posts that are very well written and thought out and I would go as far as saying they are literary contributions that deserve to be archived for posterity…
Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Whenold posts/threads are looked up and commented on by one poster, it gives another poster on LCF an opportunity to bellyache about referencing so-called zombie threads.
Such earnest complaints are always entertaining.
Such earnest complaints are always entertaining.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 06-22-19 at 08:39 AM.
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06-22-19, 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Rollfast
If you weren't aware, you can close any thread you started. Until then I hope you simply notify the moderators and let them do their jobs. This subject is a zombie itself.
06-22-19, 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by jimincalif
Something that would help - restore the date started info to the thread listing, like we had before the 2018 software “upgrade”. This is pretty much standard on forum boards such as this. I know if I am searching and see really old threads I usually will not add a post.
Originally Posted by Iride01
@Rollfast -- Yes, to me starting a new thread on whatever their subject is preferable. The old conversation is just that many times, old and dated by new stuff. If the newbie is asking a question for a problem they are having, then quite often their problem is not quite the problem they posted on.
Why would it be merged into another thread? If that's true, why haven't they merged all the "which new bike should I get" threads?
@jimincalif -- That was my first and pretty much only annoyance with the new forum format when they introduced that. They said that they would put that feature back, but we are still waiting.
Why would it be merged into another thread? If that's true, why haven't they merged all the "which new bike should I get" threads?
@jimincalif -- That was my first and pretty much only annoyance with the new forum format when they introduced that. They said that they would put that feature back, but we are still waiting.
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
”Bicycle Rental Business”
Zombie thread from 2015. Even the OP hasn't been here since then.
How did a Newbie come upon this? Are you from the same area, but it was unclear from the OP where that was.
Zombie thread from 2015. Even the OP hasn't been here since then.
How did a Newbie come upon this? Are you from the same area, but it was unclear from the OP where that was.
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
… as @alan s nicely perceived
Originally Posted by alan s
You do realize that once this is out of the top 5 threads, no one will read it, and after it drops off the first page, it is ancient history. Good luck keeping it active and getting anything useful out of it.
Originally Posted by Nachoman
Crap. I fell for it and started reading the 10 year old essay. I wish zombie threads were easier to identify.
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
When I read the OP, I naturally thought it was legitimately contemporary since it referred to pcad and Dr. Pete in the seemingly long ago past. As I recall, at least pcad was active here when I joined in 2008, and for a few years afterwards.
06-22-19, 12:13 PM
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I agree with @Rollfast. In theory a newbie may choose to add additional information about an existing thread. Let's keep some of the redundant info together.
And, one should point out that everyone on this board with 1000 posts made that first post sometime, or first 10 posts sometime.
Make it too hard for newbies to feel wanted and to participate, and one will not get any new members.
Ok, so maybe it is 10:1 on one-hit-wonders vs longtime users. But, knock out all the newbies, and one knocks out all the new users.
And, one should point out that everyone on this board with 1000 posts made that first post sometime, or first 10 posts sometime.
Make it too hard for newbies to feel wanted and to participate, and one will not get any new members.
Ok, so maybe it is 10:1 on one-hit-wonders vs longtime users. But, knock out all the newbies, and one knocks out all the new users.
06-23-19, 10:06 AM
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Speaking of zombie threads, has anyone else noticed the new feature at the bottom of a lot of threads suggesting several "related" threads to click on?
Every one I click on is a zombie thread up to twenty or more years old. I think IB really wants to encourage threads constantly being recycled. I have no problem with that by the way.
Every one I click on is a zombie thread up to twenty or more years old. I think IB really wants to encourage threads constantly being recycled. I have no problem with that by the way.
06-24-19, 01:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Iride01
Which subject? OP's closing their threads or newbies attaching to dead threads?
It's like all these people saying there is already a law on the books for that, and there was, from day one.
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06-24-19, 01:26 AM
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Originally Posted by FBOATSB
Speaking of zombie threads, has anyone else noticed the new feature at the bottom of a lot of threads suggesting several "related" threads to click on?
Every one I click on is a zombie thread up to twenty or more years old. I think IB really wants to encourage threads constantly being recycled. I have no problem with that by the way.
Every one I click on is a zombie thread up to twenty or more years old. I think IB really wants to encourage threads constantly being recycled. I have no problem with that by the way.
The point is to help you find better answers to your own problem by analysis of other threads and recommendations.
It does work well.
So there is no need to pick nits, this is how we roll (fast).
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06-24-19, 10:21 AM
#16
Retired -- Do not PM
I will look into this. Rest assured, it is not IB trying to recycle threads, but rather assist the user in obtaining the best information relating to the searched topic that they can find, old or new.
06-25-19, 02:48 PM
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Originally Posted by FBOATSB
Speaking of zombie threads, has anyone else noticed the new feature at the bottom of a lot of threads suggesting several "related" threads to click on?
Every one I click on is a zombie thread up to twenty or more years old. I think
Every one I click on is a zombie thread up to twenty or more years old. I think
Originally Posted by Rollfast
That's something practically everybody does now.
The point is to help you find better answers to your own problem by analysis of other threads and recommendations.
It does work well.
So there is no need to pick nits, this is how we roll (fast).
The point is to help you find better answers to your own problem by analysis of other threads and recommendations.
It does work well.
So there is no need to pick nits, this is how we roll (fast).
What do you guy use to polish/shine cranks and rims?(2015)
Moderators - Emergency !! (2012)
Cannondale ST 500 Derailleur (2005)
In a somewhat similar vein, to expand on a topic, as one who quotes frequently, I have previously posted,
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
(from a now-closed thread)I think that the use of quote boxes, which I have not seen elsewhere is a remarkable way to graphically diagram a dialogue…
I think it’s a succinct way to capture the variety of a topic.
I think it’s a succinct way to capture the variety of a topic.
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
...I leave my quotes as links to identify the author, and if anyone is interested in reading further, or verifying those quotes, they can easily be followed right from the post.
Originally Posted by FBOATSB
...IB really wants to encourage threads constantly being recycled. I have no problem with that by the way.
Originally Posted by IBRyan
I will look into this. Rest assured, it is not IB trying to recycle threads, but rather assist the user in obtaining the best information relating to the searched topic that they can find, old or new.
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
…Besides my own enjoyment, Bike Forums may be the better for all those (nested) quotes.
In [a different] post I have quoted 12 other subscribers, and just this morning before 7:30 AM I had quoted 10 others on six different threads; ...
Originally Posted by himespau
I imagine that he means that those of us who get e-mail notification of quotes and mentions are more likely to come back more frequently because our interest has been piqued to wonder what people are saying about our comments not that we want to look at the profiles of people...
And mentioning [and quoting] someone draws their attention to the thread in which they've been mentioned, which they might not otherwise visit, again bringing up the number of visits.
More page views => more revenue...
And mentioning [and quoting] someone draws their attention to the thread in which they've been mentioned, which they might not otherwise visit, again bringing up the number of visits.
More page views => more revenue...
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 06-25-19 at 03:24 PM.
06-26-19, 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
Just now I encountered a thread about dogs, on the Road Cycling Forum, from 2005,with a couple of new replies. I posted my consternation. 
What difference does it really make? There was also a thread that popped up about drive-up windows. An issue that was around a decade ago, and still an issue today.
Although, in some places such as Portland, there has actually been some recognition of the issues and some progress over the last decade.
I'm just as happy to see a few comments in the old thread, and then let it sink down again for another decade as to see a bunch of redundant threads pop up.
06-27-19, 09:41 AM
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One of my last two cats didn't show up for dinner last night. My birthday kinda sucked. I'm happy to answer the same thing again.
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06-29-19, 02:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
Just now I encountered a thread about dogs, on the Road Cycling Forum, from 2005,with a couple of new replies. I posted my consternation.
Originally Posted by CliffordK
Oh, that thread has gone to the dogs.
What difference does it really make? There was also a thread that popped up about drive-up windows. An issue that was around a decade ago, and still an issue today...
I'm just as happy to see a few comments in the old thread, and then let it sink down again for another decade as to see a bunch of redundant threads pop up.
What difference does it really make? There was also a thread that popped up about drive-up windows. An issue that was around a decade ago, and still an issue today...
I'm just as happy to see a few comments in the old thread, and then let it sink down again for another decade as to see a bunch of redundant threads pop up.
Originally Posted by tagaproject6
14 YO dog thread still not locked. 
Originally Posted by Nachoman
Crap. I fell for it and started reading the 10 year old essay. I wish zombie threads were easier to identify.
Originally Posted by jimincalif
Something that would help - restore the date started info to the thread listing, like we had before the 2018 software “upgrade”…
Originally Posted by Iride01
@jimincalif -- That was my first and pretty much only annoyance with the new forum format when they introduced that. They said that they would put that feature back, but we are still waiting.
06-29-19, 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
Thanks for your reply @CliffordK. Since I had been participating on this thread, I was at least amused to encounter that old thread on a recurrent topic resurrected after so many years.
And, on occasion, users will dig up something very specific to what I've written in the past. For example a few weeks ago there was someone commenting about Tannus tires which I've used, and posted about a few years ago.
Resurrecting the dead thread is a method to get people who were interested in the topic earlier, back on line.
As far as recognizing zombie threads, it is easy enough. If a thread pops up that I don't remember with 5 pages of comments and a few users that I don't recognize, then I'll simply check the post dates, then jump to the end to check out the new content.
Thread start dates wouldn't hurt. Color code it if one wishes (green for < 1 year, red for > 1 year) although it may be more complex to determine active old threads vs inactive ones. "Are you Looking" or "Wacky" threads?
06-29-19, 11:17 AM
#23
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Agree there should be some limits on bumping old threads where previous post is over a certain age, but defer to the admins.
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06-29-19, 11:52 AM
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I say newbies (or anyone) reviving old threads is a non issue. Any attempted "fix" would cause more problems than it solves.
The best new feature that somewhat addresses this IMO (and this is what I do for a living) would be to put a kind of activity chart at the top of every thread that shows it's structure over time:
This chart (or histogram) shows the activity of a thread over time. The left side represents the beginning of bikeforums and the right side represents now. The above example shows a thread that had some activity a long time ago, and a little blip of recent activity on the right.
Once someone understands this, they can get the gist of the thread's activity.
This feature doesn't add any restrictions, just provides more info, and one of the things it indicates is if it's a recently revived "zombie thread" and people can ignore those if they want to.
The best new feature that somewhat addresses this IMO (and this is what I do for a living) would be to put a kind of activity chart at the top of every thread that shows it's structure over time:
This chart (or histogram) shows the activity of a thread over time. The left side represents the beginning of bikeforums and the right side represents now. The above example shows a thread that had some activity a long time ago, and a little blip of recent activity on the right.
Once someone understands this, they can get the gist of the thread's activity.
This feature doesn't add any restrictions, just provides more info, and one of the things it indicates is if it's a recently revived "zombie thread" and people can ignore those if they want to.
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06-30-19, 06:44 PM
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