Is There a Problem With Reviving Older Threads?

[redsquid2]

I have read a couple remarks about this, but the posters did not clearly state that it was a problem, or why.

 

[powernoodle]

I don't think its a prob, unless the subject matter has become stale. If its something like "why do you guys carry tip up?", its as applicable today as it was 3 years ago or whatever. JMO.

 

[AKC]

It's iffy.... there are the threads that have been done to death, ones that could use a little refreshing, and others that should be plain left alone to languish in the nether regions.

If there's a truly fresh outlook, a way of adding info or positions that show progression, or establishes a timeline, then resurrection may be warranted.

Best thing to do is look at the timestamp and consider the options....

It does get old when someone necrothreads an 8 year-old discussion on the merits of carbon vs stainless, kydex vs leather, or whathaveyou....

Worst that can happen is a flamewar gets reignited, and a mod has to damp it down, but they're busy enough as it is.

My personal peeves are the ones where someone throws up a dealspot for somebody looking for a particular knife - 5 years ago. I think they decided on a knife a long time ago.

Or the "Yeah, buddy!" to a post from 3 years ago that adds nothing.

Just my .02¢....

 

[Gollnick]

It's a matter of debate. Some people are patently-opposed to "thread necromancy." For some reason, they find bringing up a old thread to be always-offensive.

I don't understand this myself. On one hand, we often criticize people for "not using the search engine." But, on the other hand, when they do use the search engine and find a thread and want to continue that discussion, we criticize them for "thread necromancy." Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Our deep archive and long history are a key asset here on bladeforums and I would hate to see it declared off-limits.

In some cases, bringing up an old thread makes no sense; asking if a knife that was offered for sale five years ago is still available, for example (e-mail or PM the seller if you really must). But, if you want to continue an old topic, by all means do so, IMHO.

 

[bdmicarta]

I think it depends on the circumstances. As said above, if the topic is still reasonable for discussion and there is new information to be added then I have no problem with it. After all this is a discussion forum and discuss is what we do. Not everybody here has been here since the beginning of time and may not have seen the previous discussion. OTOH there are subjects that get posted and discussed frequently and it would not be necessary to resurrect a thread like that. I think a person contemplating posting in a thread should weigh these factors.

 

[yablanowitz]

Here's the problem I see most often. Someone new joins and starts posting new threads asking the same questions that have been asked a hundred times. That person is told (admittedly with varying degrees of politeness) to try the search function to look for their answers. That person uses the search function, finds the answer, doesn't like the answer they found, and pulls up a thread that has been dead for years to argue about that answer with people who may not have been active here for years.

Whether or not to ressurect an old thread requires judgement, and that is something that is sadly lacking in the world today. My personal feeling is if the thread has been dead for a year or more, start a new thread.

 

[Opticon]

Because some of the oldest threads here contain the best (and sometimes only) info on a particular/obscure knife I would consider adding good info to that thread acceptable even if the thread is a couple of years old. For example someone who is a good reviewer may have just acquired it and added specs to the thread that it may have been lacking. Reviving a good thread to add something like 'just picked up a XYZ for $XX" is not acceptable in my eyes.

 

[brownshoe]

IIn the Levine forum, thread necromancy is appreciated so one can keep the subject matter together through time. Sometimes it really pays off, for example when the grandson of a custom maker can pull up an old thread and add new information.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

It's a matter of debate. Some people are patently-opposed to "thread necromancy." For some reason, they find bringing up a old thread to be always-offensive.

I don't understand this myself. On one hand, we often criticize people for "not using the search engine." But, on the other hand, when they do use the search engine and find a thread and want to continue that discussion, we criticize them for "thread necromancy." Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Our deep archive and long history are a key asset here on bladeforums and I would hate to see it declared off-limits.

In some cases, bringing up an old thread makes no sense; asking if a knife that was offered for sale five years ago is still available, for example (e-mail or PM the seller if you really must). But, if you want to continue an old topic, by all means do so, IMHO.

I second the motion!

I have become much more comfortable with continuing a good old thread, allowing newer members to read a valuable discussion. I have been suckered into reading an old story when suddenly I come across a brilliant post that I had contributed ... but forgot all about.

On the other hand, we recently had a new member resurrect a few oldies so he could post his proud announcement, I got one of those too! I consolidated all his posts and a couple of responses in a new thread.

It is mostly a judgement call and rarely worth getting upset at.

IIn the Levine forum, thread necromancy is appreciated so one can keep the subject matter together through time. Sometimes it really pays off, for example when the grandson of a custom maker can pull up an old thread and add new information.

We just had one of those. I get a bit emotional about that sort of "resurrection". I can imagine what it can mean to the poster.