Lock topic after a certain time since last post

[OptimusPrime]

I think all topics that haven't had a reply since like a month should automatic lock. This would prevent bumping in the long run and be more helpful for moderators. I myself find it slightly pathetic how people reply to topics years old, and stuff. The option to post a new topic is not that difficult.

I think there's a MOD for vBulletin that allows you to decide what forums this applies to.

[Jess]

the bump limit rule is 2 months

and the OP can bump their own threads.

However I am totally for this idea. it shouldn't be enabled in the arcade though.

[Blind]

I like this idea

[Origami]

Yes, but it should be a longer time limit than one month. Three months is reasonable. OP request to unlock should be permitted.

[TheMatrix]

How about we all just follow the rules? Does that work too?

[OptimusPrime]

It's slightly obvious those people don't follow them.

[Infidelitas]

How about we all just follow the rules? Does that work too?

Exactly! We wouldn't need to worry if looked at the date of the last post.

[Origami]

It's slightly obvious those people don't follow them.

This. A thousand times this.

It's slightly obvious that no one follows the rules.

[SosbanFach]

Another solution to a problem which already has a perfectly good system right now, that is, the thread sits there doing nothing, and if it is bumped, it is locked. This suggestion has, I believe, come up before. The problem is, this would not allow the OP to bump his or her own thread, which is allowed.

[Jess]

how about after 2 months, NO ONE but the OP can post in the thread. I mean, if you aren't the OP of the thread, you won't have permission to post in the thread. if you are, you can.

problem is, I don't think there's even a mod for this!

[OptimusPrime]

Also yes there are moderators but I've caught them whining when they're locking a bumped topic. They're just as annoyed as us when it comes to this. Even if they don't admit it because part of their job is to lock topics.

[SosbanFach]

Just let the moderators do their jobs. It's what they're here for, and they manage it very well.

[OptimusPrime]

You're one of the people who have no idea how moderating a site works and you may think it's a piece of cake. It takes time. Generally you lock the topic, send a PM to the OP, post in the staff area what you locked and why and then you do that for every single topic you lock.

[SosbanFach]

Last time I saw a thread like this, the moderators themselves (well, I think it might have just been Scarface, but I like to think of him as one of the 'chief moderators' :P) said that it was what they were there for. It is far more reliable for real people to do the work than computers, just ask the UK NHS xD

[Donkey]

You're one of the people who have no idea how moderating a site works and you may think it's a piece of cake. It takes time. Generally you lock the topic, send a PM to the OP, post in the staff area what you locked and why and then you do that for every single topic you lock.
No you don't. Locking bumped topics requires next to no effort. The system as it is works best.

Don't be cocky and belittle other members please. It isn't cool.

[OptimusPrime]

No you don't. Locking bumped topics requires next to no effort. The system as it is works best.

I said generally. Most sites require the system I explained. VT must be less strict hence why there are so many topics getting bumped.

[SosbanFach]

Huh, how does the way moderators lock threads lead to more of them being bumped?

[OptimusPrime]

Why is it every other site no matter how big gets little to no problems with bumping then with the way I explained? Even teen and advice forums.

[Donkey]

Having owned my own forums in the past, and moderating several, I can tell you it usually doesn't. Users who bump threads often or more than once will get a warning, but we don't warn everyone who bumps old threads. It's not really a big deal for us just to lock the thread and be done with it; auto-locking the threads means that if an OP or other member wants to post a relevant update, it requires more effort for them to PM us and then for us to unlock it as opposed to just locking the ones that get bumped.

Lots of threads get bumped on VT because we're a big site and lots of the help forum threads contain many keywords that users are likely to search for. But even still, the amount that get bumped aren't that excessive.

[OptimusPrime]

Having owned my own forums in the past, and moderating several, I can tell you it usually doesn't. Users who bump threads often or more than once will get a warning, but we don't warn everyone who bumps old threads. It's not really a big deal for us just to lock the thread and be done with it; auto-locking the threads means that if an OP or other member wants to post a relevant update, it requires more effort for them to PM us and then for us to unlock it as opposed to just locking the ones that get bumped.

Lots of threads get bumped on VT because we're a big site and lots of the help forum threads contain many keywords that users are likely to search for.
Obviously that was forums you owned that only had your friends as members so they understood how you work. ;)

[SosbanFach]

Are you saying that every other forum uses the system you've outlined? That is not the case.

[OptimusPrime]

Are you saying that every other forum uses the system you've outlined? That is not the case.

You would know how? Again have you ever moderated a site?

[Donkey]

Obviously that was forums you owned that only had your friends as members so they understood how you work. ;)
No. I've moderated several other large forums (100,000 posts+)

As this suggestion has come up before and you seem to want to turn this into a fight, :locked: