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A long-overdue discussion

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TheThumbPuppy

Registered User
Now, I hate to be that guy, but I will anyway. An open discussion is long overdue on this subject.

I have noticed that some members who resurrected an old thread got a snooty message that goes on and on with the likes of:
It is one of the most annoying things on forums to have to go back and re-read pages of posts to try to figure out the context of the new post being added, sometimes years later.

In fact, some don't even get the full palaver, but only a link to go and read all that gab on some other thread.

I have also noticed that some other member who also resurrected an old thread didn't get any message like that. Instead, loads of members jumped in the conversation again like it's the best thing since sliced bread.

Personally, I don't think that one of the most annoying things on forums is to have to go back and re-read pages of posts to try to figure out the context of the new post being added, sometimes years later.

And I don't think that forum etiquette is to create a new post – forum etiquette according to whom?

It doesn't matter if members who posted previously are not active any more and can no longer defend their position – it's not a trial, a forum is an asynchronous debate.

I enjoy when new members read some old thread and contribute with their own observations. It makes the forum feel alive. If I feel like it, I go back and re-read the previous posts. If I don't, I don't get me knickers in a twist and get on with me life.

It is well possible that established members dislike resurrecting old threads because they've seen them over and over again, but to new members they are relevant. If new members want to add their post to an old thread, so be it. I don't need the forum police to tell them it is forbidden.

Beyond that, it seems to me that this forum needs more discussion, not less, and discouraging members from posting because they didn't follow someone's arbitrary forum etiquette is not a good way to achieve that. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the members who received one of those messages hadn't been active on the forum since.

What struck me as odd is that the hoity-toity messages were sent only to some of those who resurrected an old thread. Were these members targeted to get rid of them by making them feel unwelcomed? Or were they just the lucky chosen ones to win a bit of extra shaming?

If you don't want new posts on old threads, just automatically archive them after a certain length of inactivity. Members will be able to read them, but they won't be allowed to post there (like on reddit and others). If threads are not archived, I'm afraid they're fair game.

Either way, those condescending messages did not sound very brotherly and I for one would welcome a more accepting and fair approach.
 

Hasaf

Registered User
This is not specific to this forum. I have seen it in a large number of forums.

Sometimes it seems like it's a no-win. Post on an old thread and get piled on for necroposting; start a new thread and get piled on about this has already been discussed twenty years ago in a thread that does not seem to show up in a simple search (please, don't get me started on how rude the lmgtfy [let me google that for you] gifs are).

I haven't seen much of either of those here. In all, I am pleased to say that this seems to be a very polite forum.
 

Winter

Premium Member
That is my post younare referring to. The post isn't snooty so much as it is informative and politely explained my reasoning. I cannot help what you read into it. But necroposting absolutely is one of the most annoying things on a forum. I also did not single you out. I dont troll the forum looking for every necropost. My reasoning is sound. If you want to continue a discussion from an old thread, do members the courtesy of making a new post so we don't have to read 20 pages to catch up. Even link to the old thread you are referencing.

Transmitted via R5 astromech using Tapatalk Galactic
 

Matt1

Registered User
I'm new on MyFreemasonry (and still not a mason). For my purposes MyFreemasonry has been a great resource and all posts are new and interesting. As a newcomer I'd rather have more than less to read, be it necroposting or new posts every time. But that's just me.
 

David612

Registered User
Because the people who started the discussion are no longe involved in the conversation and the world has moved on often with years worth of context that hasn’t been accounted for-
 

jermy Bell

Registered User
Hmmmm, I have renewed interest in 2-4 year old articles, that have sparked a new discussion and fresh ideas. But i think if you don't want to read something then don't. But don't add something like you are the forum police. The administration will determine when to close comments .
 

Winter

Premium Member
Hmmmm, I have renewed interest in 2-4 year old articles, that have sparked a new discussion and fresh ideas. But i think if you don't want to read something then don't. But don't add something like you are the forum police. The administration will determine when to close comments .

At no point in my post was it stated or implied that my view was forum law or that I had any right to enforce any such practice as some kind of "forum police." It was clearly my opinion on what I feel is best practices based on years of forum experience. Please do not put words into my mouth.
 

Pointwithinacircle3

Registered User
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Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
I cannot tell you how many times I've been contacted by forum members who expressed a desire to close their account because of condescending comments, passive aggression, personal attacks, or "forum police" dictating what others should/shouldn't do. I've been quietly banning members (without warning) as well as deleting threads, both old and new. I'll also be keeping a closer eye on how people are interacting with each other and will either issue a warning or permaban on the spot. If anyone has an issue or sees someone being out of line, hit that Report button at the bottom of their post and I will address it.

As far as necroposting, I think old threads can still be a great source of information, but nothing ruins the entire thread more than having someone jump in and complain that it either exists or people are still participating in it.
 
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