[new members] Why close old threads to new comments?

#1: Post by **haleyp** » May 2nd, 2019, 9:00 pm

Twice now I've wanted to share some helpful comments on old posts that helped me. Just a few points that would help future viewers. I think it's a shame this is not allowed.

#2: Post by HB » May 2nd, 2019, 9:37 pm

We've noticed that some new members search via Google, find a thread, and simply reply to it, even the thread has been dormant for many months and isn't directly related to their question (commonly know as "necroposting"). If you want to contribute to a closed thread, you can start a new thread referencing it and a moderator will merge them.

That said, I've noticed that starting a new thread frequently encourages more insightful discussions than replying to a previously dormant thread, especially if it's a megathread.

#3: Post by **mohninme** » May 2nd, 2019, 10:32 pm

Thanks Dan

At what point or age are threads closed?

#4: Post by HB » May 3rd, 2019, 7:17 am

If you posted to the thread in the past, it allows one year with no replies before closing the thread, presumably for a follow-up to prior contributions. If you never posted to the thread, it allows six months. This seemed to me a fair tradeoff between allowing follow-ups and discouraging necroposts.