about necroposting

[archip]

Hello,

I've necroposted twice the last few days and apparently it's forbidden (I admit I never read the rules :s) and I honestly don't understand why it was wrong in my case. However I can state why it's wrong to create a new topic about the feature I requested :

- Old topics will never get an answer and when people will search for the same feature on google they may only come across old topics without the answer

- It dilute the information between multiple topics (some topics contains good tips in relation to the problem)

- The problem was clearly explained in a old topic (and I can't be that clear because my english is bad)

 

What do you think ? I'll open a new topic anyway cause I'm law abiding citizen

[david.atwell]

Necroposting is wrong because Paint.NET is a continuously-updated program, and old threads can't possibly keep up with what has been changed and edited in the program since they were originally posted.  They're no longer applicable.  And sure, YOU might know the changes, but the next person to view the thread might not.

 

It's happened a lot: someone resurrects a thread about an issue that has been solved, or at least changed, people pile on them for complaining about something that was fixed 2 years ago, and everybody's time is generally wasted.  

 

Like I keep telling people, our rules aren't arbitrary.  Every single one of them is there because someone has done that before, and we want to keep it from happening again.

 

Now, go read the rules! 

[Cc4FuzzyHuggles]

For your feature request, I can see why posting there would seem fine since feature requests of the same thing feel like they should stick together. However, since that was an old thread, here is an alternative idea :

Make a new thread with your feature request, and link to the old thread stating how others want (or previously wanted) the same thing. If there are multiple sources (such as multiple old threads) that support your idea, you can actually compile the various sources together all into one thread by using links to reference the previous discussions of the idea. This will allow for a new thread to revive the idea and generate fresh conversations about the topic, but still have the older discussions as references to the previous requests and conversations of the topic.

 

Also, I think you can quote old threads and even locked threads too, so between quoting and linking, you should be able to bring your idea back to life in a new thread.

 

Edit, never mind, you can't quote locked threads. But, you can still copy/paste from the old threads and then wrap quote tags around it, and link to specific old post of the old thread. To link to specific pots and/or replies, look for a little icon that looks like this   <    but has rounded ends/corners in the top right of a post or reply. Click the icon and it will give you a URL/link that you can copy and insert into your own new thread.

Edited November 4, 2015 by Cc4FuzzyHuggles

[AgentGoodspeed]

This hasn't happened to me but I can see the OP's point. Sometimes newer members or people less savvy with the software will go "Okay, I won't ask something because it'll make me look stupid, so I'll search well and hard!"

And then, lo and behold you actually find a thread that discusses your problem. You're excited! You join the conversation with a comment or a question, and all this time you never stopped to look at the pale gray date at the top of the last post.

[Cc4FuzzyHuggles]

I think about 90% of newbies post on outdated threads, since many times I see a newbies first post is on an outdated thread. It's sadly just one of those things I think most newbies end up having to face, live through, and learn. I'm completely guilty for posting on a dead thread for my first post too (on another forum), and I'm still guilty for posting on old threads I don't realize are old. I think it's how people respond to a Necropost that will either welcome the newbie or make them runaway in fear.

 

The rule of "don't bite the newbie" I wish applied to newbies who make a few "oops" mistakes for their first posts. But most the time a necropost gets newbies an intimidating response.

Edited November 4, 2015 by Cc4FuzzyHuggles

[ReMake]

Make a new thread with your feature request, and link to the old thread stating how others want (or previously wanted) the same thing. If there are multiple sources (such as multiple old threads) that support your idea, you can actually compile the various sources together all into one thread by using links to reference the previous discussions of the idea. This will allow for a new thread to revive the idea and generate fresh conversations about the topic, but still have the older discussions as references to the previous requests and conversations of the topic.

 

That says about all.

 

If the thread isn't locked, you can leave the last message into this thread with link to a new thread which you opened. If the thread is locked, moderators can make this instead of you.

[midora]

Some forum softwares allows to close threads in a subforum automatically after a certain time w/o activity.

Maybe this is covered with this feature:

IP.Board 3.3 Dev Update: Archive System

[archip]

Necroposting is wrong because Paint.NET is a continuously-updated program, and old threads can't possibly keep up with what has been changed and edited in the program since they were originally posted.  They're no longer applicable.  And sure, YOU might know the changes, but the next person to view the thread might not.

 

It's happened a lot: someone resurrects a thread about an issue that has been solved, or at least changed, people pile on them for complaining about something that was fixed 2 years ago, and everybody's time is generally wasted.  

 

Like I keep telling people, our rules aren't arbitrary.  Every single one of them is there because someone has done that before, and we want to keep it from happening again.

 

Now, go read the rules! 

Well, I see your point.