A silly little thing I've noticed about forums in general.

[Swansong]

And I've noticed this even during the ancient, mythical times (the early 2010's) and that is that most people rarely seems to check for the dates on when something is posted.

For example, I was just to reply to a post when I realized it was from October 17 and it was the only comment of the person and that last time they had logged in was also that same date. Obviously a case of someone just stumbling on this community on chance, wanting to share something and just forgetting about it the next day. Nothing wrong with that but obviously any advice would be utterly pointless when given to someone that in all likelihood will never see it. Yet people still continue to comment on it, not realizing (or caring).

And that's a very mild example, countless times in many other forums over the years I've seen people replying in depth to some question or situation posted by someone that hasn't logged in for the past half decade.

I don't know, perhaps I'm excessively mindful towards details (neurotic) or most people just pay little attention to most details.

 

[Slime_Punk]

That happens a lot. I think it's in our nature to try and add to the collective consciousness / knowledge if we're able to help out, so that anyone passing by in the future (even lurkers) can gain insight from it.

I necro'd a reddit thread like this recently (after a few years had passed) and immediately got a few DMs from people looking for help, and I was able to help them. That made me feel like I did my good deed for the day, lol.

Also, don't forget that sites like Archive's The Wayback Machine exist, taking snapshots of selective information all the time. Although information gets lost often, what gets recovered can feel like an archaeological dig within the right context, and that's also really cool.

 

[maycontainthunder]

A phrase I have seen posted when someone awakens an ancient thread is 'Holy thread resurrection Batman'.

 

[Misery]

A phrase I have seen posted when someone awakens an ancient thread is 'Holy thread resurrection Batman'.

I've always known it as "necroing".

Like, "necro" as in "necromancer".

On some forums... generally old ones... it's specifically against the rules to do that (because it clogs things up while just confusing everyone). Though, most forums dont seem to care too much about it anymore.

Still irritating though.

Like, seriously, everyone should always look at the dates of when things were posted BEFORE responding to something.

 

[maycontainthunder]

I've always known it as "necroing".

Like, "necro" as in "necromancer".

On some forums... generally old ones... it's specifically against the rules to do that (because it clogs things up while just confusing everyone). Though, most forums dont seem to care too much about it anymore.

Still irritating though.

Like, seriously, everyone should always look at the dates of when things were posted BEFORE responding to something.

I've noticed that sometimes the person awakening the thread is a spammer who posts a scam link.

There are a few threads on here that have a faint pulse and still get occasional postings.

 

[Jordy]

On some forums... generally old ones... it's specifically against the rules to do that (because it clogs things up while just confusing everyone). Though, most forums dont seem to care too much about it anymore.

I never liked forums with very strict rules where mods would warn you for making a single post that is a little off topic or replying to thread that is a little too old. These over-moderated forums that have extremely tight rules on what people are allowed to post are no fun and it's usually just a moderator that is power-tripping. This forum doesn't really seem to have many rules other than the common sense of no profanity no trolling etc

 

[Judge]

I suppose one can look at this in two ways.

1. Responding to a specific member who hasn't been an active poster in years is well....pointless.

2. Nothing wrong with reactivating an old thread if you have something good to post.

 

[Bolletje]

I've always known it as "necroing".

Same.

 

[Gerontius]

Awake, thread long dead!
Haunt the forums for which thou wast created!

 

[Duna]

And I've noticed this even during the ancient, mythical times (the early 2010's) and that is that most people rarely seems to check for the dates on when something is posted.

For example, I was just to reply to a post when I realized it was from October 17 and it was the only comment of the person and that last time they had logged in was also that same date. Obviously a case of someone just stumbling on this community on chance, wanting to share something and just forgetting about it the next day. Nothing wrong with that but obviously any advice would be utterly pointless when given to someone that in all likelihood will never see it. Yet people still continue to comment on it, not realizing (or caring).

And that's a very mild example, countless times in many other forums over the years I've seen people replying in depth to some question or situation posted by someone that hasn't logged in for the past half decade.

I don't know, perhaps I'm excessively mindful towards details (neurotic) or most people just pay little attention to most details.

One of the things I like about forums is that I can browse topics and see what others answered to a specific question. It's about sharing information, and even if the person who asked for it does never read what you had to say (and how will you know?), maybe others can profit from your answer.

 

[Tom]

I call them Zombie threads. People post on those from time to time. I feel sorry for the person responding if they put a lot of time and effort into the response.

 

[SusanLR]

I usually try to remember to look at the post date.

I agree with most of the prior replies, it doesn't hurt anything and might be helpful to
lurkers.
I've seen posts turn up from various forums as an example to a question posed to a search engine.

 

[Streetwise]

And I've noticed this even during the ancient, mythical times (the early 2010's) and that is that most people rarely seems to check for the dates on when something is posted.

For example, I was just to reply to a post when I realized it was from October 17 and it was the only comment of the person and that last time they had logged in was also that same date. Obviously a case of someone just stumbling on this community on chance, wanting to share something and just forgetting about it the next day. Nothing wrong with that but obviously any advice would be utterly pointless when given to someone that in all likelihood will never see it. Yet people still continue to comment on it, not realizing (or caring).

And that's a very mild example, countless times in many other forums over the years I've seen people replying in depth to some question or situation posted by someone that hasn't logged in for the past half decade.

I don't know, perhaps I'm excessively mindful towards details (neurotic) or most people just pay little attention to most details.

Nope i disagree, im fully aware of the date of a post, but as i dont live in a dictatorship, i exercise my right to do what i want and answer a post for my reason!

 

[Misery]

Nope i disagree, im fully aware of the date of a post, but as i dont live in a dictatorship, i exercise my right to do what i want and answer a post for my reason!

Which is fine, just....

Dont necessarily expect a good response to your post if you do that (in plenty of cases, dont necessarily expect your post to even be read). Usually, a necro'ed topic/post just... confuses everyone. Or, just angers them.

It doesnt seem too bad on THIS site, we're all super chill here it seems, but yeah, on a great many forums it'll actually get people angry. Like, unreasonably angry. No, I dont know why.

I see this one happen all the time on Steam, and it usually just gets people yelling.

Which is silly, really, but there aint much that can be done about that.