Spin-Off: What's So Wrong With Zombie Threads??

[CaliBear]

I totally agree with you and I also think that it "bugs" people because they get to feeling a little embarrassed if they don't notice the date, but I don't think they need to feel that way. Especially if others would stop chiming in to try to make them feel stupid for posting in the threads.



Please don't. I was just kibbitzing, not trying to open up another opportunity for you to assert how superior we are.

What's sad is that poster might meet many Americans she has ideas in common with if she wasn't so quick to paint everyone with such a negative brush. I don't think that is the prevailing thought. It certainly isn't what I think. But if someone thinks they've got us all pegged, I guess they're not interested in finding out otherwise.

anyway, I agree about the zombie threads. Sometimes the topic is interesting and could be started afresh, but the people posting "Zombie!"shut that down.

I've also experienced what shutterbug said at other boards. Better not start a new thread without searching, even if the thread on your topic is 5 years old. I find that weird.

 

[sam_gordon]

My problem with Zombie threads is they're answering questions that were asked months if not years ago. It's also possible the answer they're giving was already answered in the thread.

For example, someone asks the eternal question "should I take my kids out of school". Typical Dis back and forth ensues. Three years later, the tread gets bumped by "what's your school policy on unexcused absences?" I would hope in the three years since the question was asked, the OP found an appropriate answer.

I also don't believe that pointing out a "zombie" thread has arisen is criticizing the new poster. It's pointing out to other posters the original issue has (probably) already been solved.

 

[ronandannette]

See on other forums I am on, starting a new thread on a subject that already exists will get your thread locked and a stern warning from the mods about starting threads on something that already exists and the use of search before posting. Yeah on those other forums you can curse and bring up all manner of salty subjects....but if you make a thread about something that already has a thread...ooh you are read the riot act.

Thats why just couple weeks ago I posted on a zombie thread about Comedians in Cars getting Coffee

My problem with Zombie threads is they're answering questions that were asked months if not years ago. It's also possible the answer they're giving was already answered in the thread.

For example, someone asks the eternal question "should I take my kids out of school". Typical Dis back and forth ensues. Three years later, the tread gets bumped by "what's your school policy on unexcused absences?" I would hope in the three years since the question was asked, the OP found an appropriate answer.

I also don't believe that pointing out a "zombie" thread has arisen is criticizing the new poster. It's pointing out to other posters the original issue has (probably) already been solved.

I get what you're saying Sam, but MANY times the comments are sarcastic and refer to pot-stirring and/or trolls and ask with roly-eyes why a new member would be bumping an old thread. Those DIS members who comment like that are apparently unaware of what Shutterbug explained above. I also agree with MIGramma about that kind of reception being why a new member abandons participating in a thread. I'm also a member of another board where you'll get ALL KINDS of grief for not using "search" and I remember what it was like to be new here.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think it makes a difference which forum they are posting in. Life advice here on the CB might not change much in a year or two. Over on the photography board, technology changes quickly and some might not realize they are getting dated advice. On the theme parks board, you might be getting incorrect information for touring the parks today. Just last week someone resurrected a thread over a year old about lengthy delays entering the parks. Turns out it was started when they were switching all the turnstiles over to tapstiles and that problem doesn't exist today.

 

[Metsfan520]

I don't think they're bad on the surface. I get that someone may Google their issue, the old thread pops up. They register, and post on it. All fine. But then why do they never post on it again? That's sort of weird. The latest zombie thread that was bumped up - the one on kids being taken from the parks - just was kind of weird.

Now right now, someone who has been around for a while bumped up a very old thread, but that one made sense - why start another thread about fan fiction?

 

[Diznygrl]

I don't mind them if the topic and information in the thread is still relevant. Actually, what bugs me more is if it's an interesting topic that could get started up again but then people make a huge deal about it being a zombie thread so it ends up going nowhere.

 

[LilyWDW]

I don't think they're bad on the surface. I get that someone may Google their issue, the old thread pops up. They register, and post on it. All fine. But then why do they never post on it again? That's sort of weird. The latest zombie thread that was bumped up - the one on kids being taken from the parks - just was kind of weird.

Now right now, someone who has been around for a while bumped up a very old thread, but that one made sense - why start another thread about fan fiction?

To be blunt, because those people don't actually want information. If they did, they would post again explaining it. They just want to stir the pot. If you notice it is always on topics that would be considered controversial and/or their reply is controversial. I have also noticed that these types of things see an uptake during the summer.

If a real person wants real information, then bump something like that. But I would say the majority of times it is just junk.

 

[Forum Jumper]

Any time I do a search for anything Disney, the DIS comes up. I don't notice when the date is while searching around on the thread. I don't have a particular interest in zombies or vampires, though.

 

[kimblebee]

What's sad is that poster might meet many Americans she has ideas in common with if she wasn't so quick to paint everyone with such a negative brush. I don't think that is the prevailing thought. It certainly isn't what I think. But if someone thinks they've got us all pegged, I guess they're not interested in finding out otherwise.

anyway, I agree about the zombie threads. Sometimes the topic is interesting and could be started afresh, but the people posting "Zombie!"shut that down.

I've also experienced what shutterbug said at other boards. Better not start a new thread without searching, even if the thread on your topic is 5 years old. I find that weird.

I'm going on what I read on a thread that happened here a long time ago. I don't remember what the topic was or how long ago it was so I can't link to it. I'm also going on what I've been told by most Americans I've spoken to. Granted, it's not tons, but it's more than two. I know it's not everybody but it's my impression. If it's not you, that is awesome. I wish everyone was like you.

 

[Forum Jumper]

Heh, a few years back I bumped an old thread complaining about 30¢ increase gas prices.

I found it funny because the OP was complaining that gas prices had jumped (way) up to $1.89 per gallon & everyone agreed that was way too expensive. I bumped it because by then gas was averaging $4+ per gallon.

When people responded & then realized that it was an old thread, they were less than thrilled.

Mr. Trouble in BigD

 

[Jeff in BigD]

Mr. Trouble in BigD

 

[jevs]

Soz. Didn't chq date.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I just read another disparaging comment about a first time poster bumping an old thread.

#1: Lots of people actually FIND the DIS for the first time by googling a topic and having threads show up in the search results. There's nothing necessarily nefarious about a newbie registering to take part in a discussion that's of interest to them.
#2: Often the discussion will "take off again" as people are obviously still interested in the topic - even older, more current-event type ones.

Does this bother you and if so, why?

OK...cracking knuckles.....

Depends on the thread if I am "bothered". If the OP is no longer on the board, then I am bothered. Start your own thread.

Also bothered by threads that are bumped just to cause trouble, ex. people bumping political and religious threads.

Also bumping people no longer here just to be mean or funny.

Then you have the bumps by people selling something or trying to give you a computer virus. This seems to be the most annoying and most common bump. So while a thread may look like an innocent "bump", actually the mods removes the offending post and then it appears as if it was a "odd bump".

If it is a "newbie", I consider it a rookie mistake. As a rookie, you have to learn the ropes. However it is 2017. Most people are aware of how forums work these days and it is less common now.

That being said for an ongoing generic topic, sure, Zombie away.