Can "zombie threads" be highlighted?

[DisneyFan32WI]

I feel bad for people who genuinely take the time to offer solid advice for people not knowing that it is a zombie thread resurrected. The affair thread had me thinking that there should be a way to highlight the thread title that originated over a year ago or something. I don't mind the threads themselves, but I'd love for there to be some type of warning for those about to open the thread. Someone just posted a very long paragraph in response to the OP. I just feel like it was a waste of time. Especially since the OP hasn't posted since 2008.

 

[Squirlz]

I see the name of the poster and the date of the original post right below the thread title.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I see the name of the poster and the date of the original post right below the thread title.

I do too, but it is so small and not everyone looks at that.

 

[RedAngie]

I do too, but it is so small and not everyone looks at that.

The info is there; posters need to take SOME responsibility before rushing to respond.

 

[L&Lfan]

I do too, but it is so small and not everyone looks at that.

Oh, well...message boards are SO complicated!

 

[sam_gordon]

I feel bad for people who genuinely take the time to offer solid advice for people not knowing that it is a zombie thread resurrected. The affair thread had me thinking that there should be a way to highlight the thread title that originated over a year ago or something. I don't mind the threads themselves, but I'd love for there to be some type of warning for those about to open the thread. Someone just posted a very long paragraph in response to the OP. I just feel like it was a waste of time. Especially since the OP hasn't posted since 2008.

Well, some people will point out it's a zombie thread, but they've been criticized as "attacking" other posters.

 

[mjkacmom]

It doesn't show up on my phone unless I open the thread - and now I always check the date.

 

[sam_gordon]

I have looked, and the board software does give the mods the option to automatically lock a thread after a period of no replies. Personally, I think that's a good idea. How often does a thread that's 6 months or a year old get a legitimate update?

 

[nkereina]

FWIW, these boards are so popular that many users are new, have few posts, or don't post often. It may not even occur to them that zombie threads that old are a "thing", particularly if they just stumbled across these boards for the first time.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Well, some people will point out it's a zombie thread, but they've been criticized as "attacking" other posters.

Not so much anymore... There is one poster who posts ZOMBIE THREAD almost every time, and I laugh when I read it. When this first started happening, I think I was still trying to figure it out. Now, if the thread is irrelevant (someone asking for help for a specific cause) I'll go ahead and close the thread, but some topics are as interesting now to discuss as it was 'in those days' so I tend to leave those open.

 

[gwynne]

I feel bad for people who genuinely take the time to offer solid advice for people not knowing that it is a zombie thread resurrected. The affair thread had me thinking that there should be a way to highlight the thread title that originated over a year ago or something. I don't mind the threads themselves, but I'd love for there to be some type of warning for those about to open the thread. Someone just posted a very long paragraph in response to the OP. I just feel like it was a waste of time. Especially since the OP hasn't posted since 2008.

I agree with you.
On the other hand, sometimes a zombie situation is relevant to something a poster would like to discuss even if the thread is 8 years old and the OP appears gone. There is certainly nothing wrong in posting away. It doesn't work for me, so I'll be checking dates.
I guess there is something for everybody.

 

[phorsenuf]

Eh, they don't bother me. I find them interesting most of the time. I really don't get why they bother people so much.

 

[gwynne]

I have looked, and the board software does give the mods the option to automatically lock a thread after a period of no replies. Personally, I think that's a good idea. How often does a thread that's 6 months or a year old get a legitimate update?

Yup. zombie threads are surprisingly often bumped by spammers, not truly interested folks.

 

[mjkacmom]

Eh, they don't bother me. I find them interesting most of the time. I really don't get why they bother people so much.

I dislike them for the reason stated by the OP. I've seen many long, well thought out responses by folks not realizing the date, trying to be hiloful.

 

[RedAngie]

Not so much anymore... There is one poster who posts ZOMBIE THREAD almost every time, and I laugh when I read it. When this first started happening, I think I was still trying to figure it out. Now, if the thread is irrelevant (someone asking for help for a specific cause) I'll go ahead and close the thread, but some topics are as interesting now to discuss as it was 'in those days' so I tend to leave those open.

Thanks for leaving those interesting old threads open.

 

[phorsenuf]

I dislike them for the reason stated by the OP. I've seen many long, well thought out responses by folks not realizing the date, trying to be hiloful.

Maybe the reply will help someone else then.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Yup. zombie threads are surprisingly often bumped by spammers, not truly interested folks.

What would the purpose be for a spammer?

 

[gwynne]

What would the purpose be for a spammer?

I'm not a spammer but I'll answer your question.
The purpose of spammers bumping threads is to get attention, clicks to their sites. They search a "related" subject to their issue or product, and then post. Their posts are totally obvious, and are poofed. But, because they bumped an ancient subject, the topic is left on page one.
Yes, I've seen the spam posts on the DIS. Quite a few of them. I'm up early, and it appears spammers are often busy late at night and early in the morning. When the mods see them (and/or they are reported) they are poofed.

 

[GaryDis]

Spammers don't care about the thread being old or new. They just decide it looks appropriate for whatever they're selling, and post to it.

But I find zombie threads in general here enliven the forums, and don't see a problem. Even if the OP isn't around, others may benefit from reading the discussion.

 

[tvguy]

I don't feel bad at all. If a topic is still of interest, people reply without regard to when it was originally posted. Interest is what drives a bulletin board, not when it was posted. It just seems recently the people even noticed and starting pointing out "Zombie" threads. Never used to be a an issue here before. The "Zombie thread" replies are more annoying to me than the fact that the original post was some time ago.
As I have posted before, been here between lurking and being a member about 16 years, soooo many of the topics come up again and again and again in new threads, I'm surprised some who reply Zombie Thread to those posts, don't reply "Old Topic, move on" to those threads.