Necroing, when is it time to let it go?

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Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 5:08 am

When I first got here, I was new to the whole message board thing. I didn't like any board I had seen (mostly because of the flame wars and idiotic topics people seemed to want to discuss). Now that I have found a place where I feel welcome, I find myself looking through the forum and wanting to add my 2 cents worth. The problem is that I was unfamiliar with the ethics of proper posting, and was informed by a moderator not to necro old posts. Long story short, how long is too long? I know content is a major factor, but can everyone give me a ballpark figure? I don't want to piss anyone off for speaking my mind.

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 5:21 am

There isn't a hard-and-fast rule, as the thread content counts for a lot. If the thread was started by someone asking a question about what to do next with their bait, popping in with an answer 3 weeks later is pretty necroish any way you look at it. If the OP was posting general info, "anyone baiting", or something similar; then 3 weeks might be just fine.

If in doubt, simply start a new thread with a link to the old one. Wink

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:16 am

In addition to SF's reply, I think the main reason the admin and mods are against it, is because it slows down the server response when a request is sent for a particular thread that goes way back when. It's similar to having stuff on your hard drive if you think about it. The whole disc has to be scanned to look for the file or folder which slows down operating time every time a view request is sent. If there are too many old threads being viewed at the same time as newer ones, the reading head is having to thrash around all over place. No doubt admin will put me right though. Wink

There is no reason why you shouldn't discuss an old topic if you think it's relevant though. We never get tired of discussing ehhics for instance, or cheese, a firm fav. Don't even get me started on cats ! Rolling Eyes

If you want to disscus an old topic, do as I did here, just put a link so we can go back and look for ourselves. Doesn't clutter up the site, helps in the smooth running and keeps the dreaded mods off your case. Winners all round! Wink

PS. You nerco ^ you DIE!!! Twisted Evil

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 8:00 am

I just realized that I should have posted this in the general discussion forum Embarassed

. I hereby bow down for an official moderator slap Sad

.

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 8:08 am

You're new, don't beat yourself up, really. Everyone learns. Very Happy

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 10:25 am

The other thing is to do a search to see if there's currently a topic about what you want to post about, and guess what - - someone has asked a very similar question within the past week here:

http://ninjaforce.redirectme.net/viewtopic.php?t=121949

So, you can find out what others have had to say about this topic there, too.

Now I know - you sit there and think - Oh shit - i'm a n00b - - I'm trying hard to learn what not to do - and now by posting this - - I've violated another one of those message board rules - - but don't worry - we all live and learn - NONE of us is perfect.....well ....maybe Don, Nurse Nasty, and KD - - but everyone else usually has to learn from their mistakes.

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 10:39 am

@Favre4ever

mods are very fast and slappy here, seems they are used to slap from their lads. Dont let it bring your spirit down. The upside of this mods activity is, that no endless flamewars occur.

Worst necroing is to post to an old thread of yours to keep it alive and visible to most. So I guess your intentions matters as well.

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:42 pm

Just do what I do. Make up your own rules. The "rules" around here are merely "guidelines" Twisted Evil

***waiting for the expected slap***

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 6:14 pm

Necroing a thread, happens to so many people and is really not the end of the world. Wink

Someone will be happy to report it, a mod will come along and lock it.

As SF mentioned, if you find a topic that you'd really like to rehash and discuss, go ahead and start a new topic with a link to the older one.

On the other hand, starting a topic that is already being discussed, will certainly have SP or Tsnerd slapping you around Laughing

http://ninjaforce.redirectme.net/viewtopic.php?t=121949

Baiting Guru Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 12237

Here is my best necro, 3 years!

http://ninjaforce.redirectme.net/viewtopic.php?p=982843&highlight=#982843

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 6:49 pm

SlayerFaith wrote:

... then 3 weeks might be just fine. ...

Four, actually.

The mods generally won't do anything unless a thread is about a month or so old. Even then, if the new post is sensible, a valuable addition, and the thread isn't ancient (>two months), it will probably ride.

However, if it's just a "yeah Dude, that rocks," it will probably go down very quickly. You'de be surprised how often that happens.

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:52 am

yeah Dude, that rocks

Not quite a Newb Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

I sometimes lock a necro thread, but would much rather just delete the offending post.

Many necros are made by driveby trolling nitwits who never notice that the post is gone.

If the necro was an honest mistake and the poster had something worthwhile to add to an old thread this will usually become apparent and one of us slap happy but ever helpful Mods will steer that user along the path to enlightenment.

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:13 pm

Favre4ever wrote:

I just realized that I should have posted this in the general discussion forum Embarassed

. I hereby bow down for an official moderator slap Sad

.

If you'd like to read an example of a slightly bigger forum error and the 350 posts worth of ritual humiliation that followed try clicking on the link in my sig.

You'll have to donate to eater to see it though but you'll come over all warm and fuzzy so everyone wins. Wink

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 9:01 pm

Tsnerd wrote:

driveby trolling nitwits

Didn't think trolling nitwits had the IQ to drive.

Oh, you mean this...

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 9:06 pm

Tsnerd wrote:

... ever helpful Mods will steer that user along the path to enlightenment.

Yez, vee have our vays.

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 10:16 pm

@ mundy

Quote:

If you'd like to read an example of a slightly bigger forum error and the 350 posts worth of ritual humiliation that followed try clicking on the link in my sig.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

KD, I thought that we were only to use that tool for those that abused the quote function?

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:29 pm

^^^ Please check the mod manual, n00b! Wink

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:23 am

Favre4ever <---

Don't listen to them F4E. Don't listen to them. Do the necro and then do it again. The fun's in breaking the rules, no?

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:58 am

And we haven't suspended anyone for a long time.

I like suspensions. Especially the begging to get back in.

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 9:09 pm

Favre4ever wrote:

I just realized that I should have posted this in the general discussion forum Embarassed

. I hereby bow down for an official moderator slap Sad

.

Mod slapping seems to be an occupational hazard for me...You get used to it. Just use your common sense when posting and dont let the odd bad apple frighten you off. On the whole, this board is more civilised than most. We all seem to respect each other. Take the slappings in the spirit they are intended...to teach.

Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 12:00 am

FireWyrm wrote:

... Mod slapping seems to be an occupational hazard for me...You get used to it. ...

Hello. My name is Kleindoofy. I don't believe we've met. Cool

Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 4:29 pm

Really, I thought you chewed me out a month or two ago...or was that someone else? There are so many... Confused

419Eater is my life Joined: 12 Jun 2005 Posts: 442

I'd try to be funny and ask what necroing is, but since I know, and those who I know know that I know, I think I'd end up getting slapped.

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