Old Thread, Locked

[Donkey]

So when I was more used to this site I would check the dates on each thread every time before posting a reply, now I don't do that sometimes I fall into the evil trap of posting in an old thread. How embarrassing.

So why don't we auto lock threads which are say 2 months old?

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=196678

Using a modification like that would work, I'm sure. It also has an option not to lock sticky threads, seems to work for me - would save the mods a lot of time and mean that users would be sure what they can and can't post in.

Win win?

[nick]

Jon, just check the dates man. Different bump times apply in different subforums, not sure that vb could cope with that.

[ShatteredWings]

Jon... You're not a noob, why are you asking this question?

most resent one on this that's obviously on this
http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/showthread.php?t=84684

[Donkey]

Nick, I will get into the habit of changing the dates.. :P but not everyone will, most people won't - it happens most often in p101. And I'm sure if a mod developer was contacted functionality could be added. With a bit of fiddling around I might be able to make it work :P

I just think it would work better. Since it is done on such a case by case basis I'm rather unaware of what I can and can't bump. A more systematic measure seems reasonable.

There is the argument of it not being welcoming, but for me seeing locked threads is much better than a moderator telling you not to bump old threads. I realise this has been brought up several times but already I've seen it quite a bit being back and I genuinely believe it makes the site look more unfriendly when moderators are constantly telling people not to bump threads.

[nick]

Really? It isnt that hard to check the dates. When you are a regular, as you were before and will be soon again, you quickly notice threads that pop up out of nowhere and have been bumped.

[Donkey]

I know that, but the issue still occurs amongst new members or those who are less accustom to using forums - the majority of those who post here.

[Jess]

the creator of the thread is allowed to bump it aren't they.

[Donkey]

If the idea was accepted, I could probably fix that on my vB 3.8 test forum. I'd be quite happy to get my hands dirty with code if wanted. I know quite a bit about the back end of vB, and have created a mod or two.

[Fiction]

Op's can bump there threads so locking it would mean that they can't do that anymore.

[Cloud]

We used to have a system in place in the worst effected area for bumps I.E p101 where wed basicly archive the 2 month old threads, but im not aware if that carried over during the sectional switch

[Donkey]

Op's can bump there threads so locking it would mean that they can't do that anymore.

If the idea was accepted, I could probably fix that on my vB 3.8 test forum. I'd be quite happy to get my hands dirty with code if wanted. I know quite a bit about the back end of vB, and have created a mod or two.

Callum, I'm not sure if that'd be best for every forum - but this would.

[Scarface]

The problem with this;

#1. You will notice that this hack has a "lock after X amount of posts" which will never be used here, so that's out the window.

#2. The time limit. So when you look at a subforum, let's say General Questions, which have over a thousand views and a few hundred replies (depending on how long they were there) if the time limit were on those threads were implimented, they would not only be locked, but then we would have to daily sift through the boys section with all those threads within that certain time framed limit, just to move them to the archive when you can simply flat out tell when there is a thread that needs locking. Then the fact that for every section there would have to be a tweak for the each time limit/ old thread bump limit. The time limit would become useless as you would see a thread that has been there for ages, that is still getting posts to be locked and then seeing more duplicates than we already see in Puberty 101 already. Which would be ludicrous.

Unless there is some way for you to beat around it and make it so when there's a thread that hasn't been posted in for example; 3 months. Then it be locked. I still don't think it's necessary when now that we have sectional modding. The mods that are selected for that section are there to watch threads, lock threads. Having sectional modding at that point would be completely useless.

Point is, moderators are assigned to every section for a reason. We had a change of modding system because of issues regarding the last system. Is it really necessary to put less on the moderators that were hired and volunteered to do this position? When you take a position, you're required to do things. Locking threads is one of them. Checking post dates requires no effort to look at the OP's date of post, and have basic knowledge of when threads are locked. I would expect someone that has been around here long enough to know, to be the one to implement that.

I don't see any problems with the current system. If anything keeping all the threads organized by locking a thread and letting the use know they did it is better than having a perfectly effective thread be locked because of a system that isn't worth doing on such a large forum. Just make sure you check post dates. You can do that :P

EDIT: Also, my testing system is down but the worst this hack can cause is a syntax error.

Remember, when this is to say happen, and an administrator is not on to fix it, we would essentially be screwed until Anthony is to log on. Or Stephanie.

[Cloud]

Callum, I'm not sure if that'd be best for every forum - but this would.

i wasnt saying for every forum but it worked for p101 since it did cut down bumps a fair bit
and thats the worse effected part

but yea i do see what you mean about the rest of the forum
but in reality the rest of the forum hardly ever gets bumps

[Donkey]

The problem with this;

#1. You will notice that this hack has a "lock after X amount of posts" which will never be used here, so that's out the window.
Feature can be turned off.

#2. The time limit. So when you look at a subforum, let's say General Questions, which have over a thousand views and a few hundred replies (depending on how long they were there) if the time limit were on those threads were implimented, they would not only be locked, but then we would have to daily sift through the boys section with all those threads within that certain time framed limit, just to move them to the archive when you can simply flat out tell when there is a thread that needs locking. Then the fact that for every section there would have to be a tweak for the each time limit/ old thread bump limit. The time limit would become useless as you would see a thread that has been there for ages, that is still getting posts to be locked and then seeing more duplicates than we already see in Puberty 101 already. Which would be ludicrous.
The time limit works for after the last post, not the thread creation date.

Unless there is some way for you to beat around it and make it so when there's a thread that hasn't been posted in for example; 3 months. Then it be locked. I still don't think it's necessary when now that we have sectional modding. The mods that are selected for that section are there to watch threads, lock threads. Having sectional modding at that point would be completely useless.
That's exactly what this mod does, and sectional modding would still be useful for the sake of enforcing sectional rules and moving threads.

Point is, moderators are assigned to every section for a reason. We had a change of modding system because of issues regarding the last system. Is it really necessary to put less on the moderators that were hired and volunteered to do this position? When you take a position, you're required to do things. Locking threads is one of them. Checking post dates requires no effort to look at the OP's date of post, and have basic knowledge of when threads are locked. I would expect someone that has been around here long enough to know, to be the one to implement that.
As I have said, most people here don't use the site very often and aren't used to it - they are not so inclined to check post dates. And I "know" to do it, I'm just not in the habit of doing it yet as I've been banned for over a year remember, lol. :P

I don't see any problems with the current system. If anything keeping all the threads organized by locking a thread and letting the use know they did it is better than having a perfectly effective thread be locked because of a system that isn't worth doing on such a large forum.
It would essentially do the same job as the moderators do now but give them more time to be doing other things, I can only see benefit.

Just make sure you check post dates. You can do that :P
:violin:

EDIT:

Also, my testing system is down but the worst this hack can cause is a syntax error.

Remember, when this is to say happen, and an administrator is not on to fix it, we would essentially be screwed until Anthony is to log on. Or Stephanie.
I hadn't seen that, but obviously we wouldn't install a specific hack that is known to cause such an error. Right now I'd prefer to be thinking about the theory rather than putting it into practice as I know it's perfectly possible.

i wasnt saying for every forum but it worked for p101 since it did cut down bumps a fair bit
and thats the worse effected part

but yea i do see what you mean about the rest of the forum
but in reality the rest of the forum hardly ever gets bumps
Still worth automatically preventing them rather than having a moderator do exactly the same thing in my opinion.

[Cloud]

Probably shouldve made it a bit more clear that i was agreeing with you Jon, but for certain forums
Since we used to have something that did the same it would make it easier to have it done automaticly

[Donkey]

Yeah no I see what you mean, it could get annoying in TWPR for example where it's not so tightly enforced.

[Scarface]

To sum it all up: then what would be the point of moderators? Since all these threads would be locked on their own? What are the use? To move threads and be the disciplinarian? I simply don't think it's necessary period. Whether you want to tear my post apart or not. It's the simple fact that we have more than enough moderators to do the job. Get it done Do it right and discuss things within staff. There doesn't need to be a whole new system for something that's taken care of by moderators. That's one of the reasons of the 'report button'. People have to get accustomed to our rules, our system.