Lets Get Rid Of That "similar Topic" Nonsense.

[DiscusKeeper403]

Hey guys,


I don't know about you, but I am sick and tired of seeing people posting on old topics, and then seeing the messages afterwards that says "look at the date, it's a tad old"


Personally, the only time I had used it I posted on a thread from 2005. I believe a lot of other members are having trouble with this...

The only thing that box is good for, is bringing up old topics that no one cares about...

Maybe it is just me, but it seems repetitive and annoying. I say take it out.

 

[Bignose]

We had an old thread on this a while back now

http/www.fishforums.net/content/Board-An.../Similar-Topic/

There were a few good ideas, like locking any thread with no activity for over some specified amount of time (6 months, 1 year), or having the forum software bring up a notice that says "This thread hasn't been active for x days, are you sure you want to reply YES/NO" if the thread is old (against over 6 months or a year since activity).

The old thread said they were being discussed, but I never saw anything come out of it. This is probably a good reminder to see if the admin/moderators thought about the issue more.

Also, sometimes it isn't an old user that resurrects an old thread. Spambots have a bad habit of doing that, too. The mods delete the spammy post, but the thread has still be refreshed and shows up at the top of the new posts list and people do inadvertently reply to them, so it isn't completely the fault of the members.

 

[Tolak]

I think it's a good thing, keeps members on their toes.

Pay Attention!

You Are Operating a Computer!


Just kidding, I'll bring it back up in the mod's section, it seems to have slid down the page.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

lol

i actually think it's useful, perhaps not in every case but there's been plenty of times where I've known that a topic's been discussed before, ages ago, but can't find it on the search function. sometimes it'll just pop up there for you anyway.

i do think a wanrning saying 'this topic is 6 months old' or something similar would be good though.

On a similar note, another forum i use has a feature where if you are composing your reply and someone else replies on a topic when you hit post, it brings up a message saying 'another reply has been posted you may wish to review the topic before posting' which can be helpful.

 

[geo7x]

I think we should keep it!

I find it really useful, saves a lot of searching sometimes, and if I am searching in a forum it shows if there is anything in other forums related to it.

I have only seen a couple of old threads brought back, and it's always happened occassionally, so theres no proof that every old thread is brought back because of the similar topics thread . I expect a majority are though

What harms it doing anyway? It just slips down the list again, it's no big deal. But yeah maybe a warning or something should be put on old topics if someone tries to post on them.

 

[cheesy feet]

Hopefully if an old thread is brought back its a good one, but tbh I don't really care if it is or isn't.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Actually, a little message saying it hasn't been used in a while would be a good compromise. Although I am not say it isn't useful in some cases, it's just bugging me seeing a bunch of useless threads brought up and people posting on them look for a reply...


Hopefully the mods will think of something

 

[Lynden]

I personally have found some very useful info on those things.

 

[Larissa]

I personally have found some very useful info on those things.

Me too.

 

[steelhealr]

As Tolak posted..it is under review in the mod section and William is investigating how it can be improved. SH