Why close old threads?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,363
Likes: 1,059
From: Virginia USA
Why close old threads?
Hope I don't get a vacation but I need to ask a question.
I see a lot of threads closed because they are a few years old. Am I missing something or does all that information not apply to our Corvettes anymore? I find them to have very valuable information that still applies today as it did in 2001. Why start a new thread when all the information is already there. Yes, some links etc. might not work but the ideas and suggestions should still be pertinent.
Just asking......
I see a lot of threads closed because they are a few years old. Am I missing something or does all that information not apply to our Corvettes anymore? I find them to have very valuable information that still applies today as it did in 2001. Why start a new thread when all the information is already there. Yes, some links etc. might not work but the ideas and suggestions should still be pertinent.
Just asking......
Old Pro Solo Guy
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 8,016
Likes: 4,371
From: Marlton NJ
I have often wondered that also.
The focus of this forum seems very concerned about the thread being "owned" by the OP and not getting too "old".
If you focus on one "topic" you find many threads that are very similar, but begun by different OPs.
That works well when the OP has a specific question.
Their "similar thread" listings at the bottom of each thread seem to be an effort to get around this limitation, but then you will get "warned" about responding to a old thread. That one really baffles me. Why does it matter? Why even show those threads if they are not to be responded to?
Some of the threads are begun by an OP and intended to focus on one "topic" and create an ongoing discussion, but this only seems to work well if the OP stays involved. The "topic" may still be current after many years, but the thread will be considered old and get closed, especially if: "the OP has not been on this forum for X years".
It's just the way it is. But an explanation by a moderator would be most interesting.
The focus of this forum seems very concerned about the thread being "owned" by the OP and not getting too "old".
If you focus on one "topic" you find many threads that are very similar, but begun by different OPs.
That works well when the OP has a specific question.
Their "similar thread" listings at the bottom of each thread seem to be an effort to get around this limitation, but then you will get "warned" about responding to a old thread. That one really baffles me. Why does it matter? Why even show those threads if they are not to be responded to?
Some of the threads are begun by an OP and intended to focus on one "topic" and create an ongoing discussion, but this only seems to work well if the OP stays involved. The "topic" may still be current after many years, but the thread will be considered old and get closed, especially if: "the OP has not been on this forum for X years".
It's just the way it is. But an explanation by a moderator would be most interesting.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I also have never understood how technical information becomes "dated".....when in fact, much of this stuff on these cars never changes. So....a thread with lots of technical points about a given subject does not age....and new comments on the same thread, even if years later, is actually useful, in my opinion. But apparently, thats not the way the moderators look at it. Its their forum.....so they decide, which is completely their choice.
Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; Apr 22, 2024 at 11:53 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 1,695
From: Summerville SC
Maybe instead of closing them there could be a more obvious notation that this is an old thread. LIKE WARNING THIS THREAD IS OVER 1 YEAR OLD. I get sucked into that more often than I can count. But again, as you all said there is usually valid info there. But this would need to become another thread in itself....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,901
Likes: 3,290
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
This forum has been around for 25 years now.
Probably every tech question about a C3 has been asked & you could go back for an answer on anything if you wanted.
But if everybody did that it would eliminate new threads....
Probably every tech question about a C3 has been asked & you could go back for an answer on anything if you wanted.
But if everybody did that it would eliminate new threads....
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 81
Likes: 44
I think part of it is regarding stale information, like manufacturers, technical solutions, and changing repair methods.
Obviously parts manufacturers have shrunk significantly over time, that can change recommendations for repair pretty significantly. Say in 2002 the best solution was a readily available and well made part, but now it’s made overseas and is crap. Now the best advice might be to refurbish the OEM part from the car.
The other big part is users getting responses at all. I’ve seen a lot of people tag ancient posts addressing an OP that hasn’t been on the site for over a decade. Time is weird on an Internet forum, the writings on the wall never fade no matter the age. So a new post will be more likely to get current forum members to respond with up to date information.
Last, it’s also about preserving the past information. A lot of it is fine the way it is, it’s not necessary for someone to come in and drift the thread away from the main topic for 100 pages about their issue. An old DUB thread will not be enhanced by some goofball commenting about body filler 10 years after the fact.
Obviously parts manufacturers have shrunk significantly over time, that can change recommendations for repair pretty significantly. Say in 2002 the best solution was a readily available and well made part, but now it’s made overseas and is crap. Now the best advice might be to refurbish the OEM part from the car.
The other big part is users getting responses at all. I’ve seen a lot of people tag ancient posts addressing an OP that hasn’t been on the site for over a decade. Time is weird on an Internet forum, the writings on the wall never fade no matter the age. So a new post will be more likely to get current forum members to respond with up to date information.
Last, it’s also about preserving the past information. A lot of it is fine the way it is, it’s not necessary for someone to come in and drift the thread away from the main topic for 100 pages about their issue. An old DUB thread will not be enhanced by some goofball commenting about body filler 10 years after the fact.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,642
Likes: 3,103
From: Shamong, NJ
I think part of it is regarding stale information, like manufacturers, technical solutions, and changing repair methods.
Obviously parts manufacturers have shrunk significantly over time, that can change recommendations for repair pretty significantly. Say in 2002 the best solution was a readily available and well made part, but now it’s made overseas and is crap. Now the best advice might be to refurbish the OEM part from the car.
The other big part is users getting responses at all. I’ve seen a lot of people tag ancient posts addressing an OP that hasn’t been on the site for over a decade. Time is weird on an Internet forum, the writings on the wall never fade no matter the age. So a new post will be more likely to get current forum members to respond with up to date information.
Last, it’s also about preserving the past information. A lot of it is fine the way it is, it’s not necessary for someone to come in and drift the thread away from the main topic for 100 pages about their issue. An old DUB thread will not be enhanced by some goofball commenting about body filler 10 years after the fact.
Obviously parts manufacturers have shrunk significantly over time, that can change recommendations for repair pretty significantly. Say in 2002 the best solution was a readily available and well made part, but now it’s made overseas and is crap. Now the best advice might be to refurbish the OEM part from the car.
The other big part is users getting responses at all. I’ve seen a lot of people tag ancient posts addressing an OP that hasn’t been on the site for over a decade. Time is weird on an Internet forum, the writings on the wall never fade no matter the age. So a new post will be more likely to get current forum members to respond with up to date information.
Last, it’s also about preserving the past information. A lot of it is fine the way it is, it’s not necessary for someone to come in and drift the thread away from the main topic for 100 pages about their issue. An old DUB thread will not be enhanced by some goofball commenting about body filler 10 years after the fact.
I'm sure vettebuyer6369 will respond shortly to clarify............and then close this thread.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
Old threads are sometimes very useful, but what also happens is someone digs up a 10+ year thread and starts suggesting what the OP can do to fix the issue. That's OK, but after 10+ years, I'm sure the issue is fixed by now and his suggestion is probably a mute point. Just how I see it...carry on. Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
IMHO all threads should be locked after some amount of time. If one wishes to comment on a thread then it's easy to just comment and reference the older thread.
I do get aggravated by noobs that are doing google searches and join up just so they can show their genius off in that one thread, or the "I'm looking for that too" in a 10 yo thread. Most of these people never appear again.
What I'm fine with is the builder threads that go on, these cars are often a multi-year project and it's fine that they stay open.
I do get aggravated by noobs that are doing google searches and join up just so they can show their genius off in that one thread, or the "I'm looking for that too" in a 10 yo thread. Most of these people never appear again.
What I'm fine with is the builder threads that go on, these cars are often a multi-year project and it's fine that they stay open.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,136
Likes: 3,939
From: Connecticut, USA
I can’t say why they are closed although some are old and many have left, died, or were kicked off.
The information is still relevant in most cases since the cars haven't changed. The quality of parts and services has.
I spent several hours pulling off my old threads many of which have information you won’t find elsewhere. I didn’t do it because they were old or outdated but rather because I found some people misusing them.
The information is still relevant in most cases since the cars haven't changed. The quality of parts and services has.
I spent several hours pulling off my old threads many of which have information you won’t find elsewhere. I didn’t do it because they were old or outdated but rather because I found some people misusing them.
Last edited by GTR1999; Apr 22, 2024 at 06:12 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 919
From: Arizona
I do a Google search often and add the words "corvette forum" or "C3 forum" to my search and pull up hundreds if not more old threads from this forum every time, I'm assuming even closed still come up... I pull up many threads as far back as ten or more years old... almost always find my answers and discussion in the older threads
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 58
Likes: 24
From: Knoxville TN
I visit several forums regularly and they all will lock old threads if they've been inactive for awhile and then get new posts by new users.
What I find odd is that many users will respond to queries from new users on a topic with replys of they need to use the search feature... So they do and post a relevant question on the topic which often times recieves a curt reply from a resident user then gets closed by a mod.
Oh well, just one of those message board oddities I rekon...
What I find odd is that many users will respond to queries from new users on a topic with replys of they need to use the search feature... So they do and post a relevant question on the topic which often times recieves a curt reply from a resident user then gets closed by a mod.
Oh well, just one of those message board oddities I rekon...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 7,765
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I for one do "get it".
some new guy comes along and tags a question on the end of a thread that is not only 10 years old. But has 97 posts prior to his question.
Causing many to read through 97 posts that were well and truly delt with years ago. Just to get to his question.
Because I guess he didn't know how to start a thread and ask, "Why do I....".
It's bloody rude making you read through many, many old posts just to get to a new question that may be only slightly related to the original thread.
When these threads are closed. They are only closed to new comments. They are still available to read for there content.
New guys need to start new threads for there questions. Not make us read through 187 posts to get to there new, often times losely related question.
some new guy comes along and tags a question on the end of a thread that is not only 10 years old. But has 97 posts prior to his question.
Causing many to read through 97 posts that were well and truly delt with years ago. Just to get to his question.
Because I guess he didn't know how to start a thread and ask, "Why do I....".
It's bloody rude making you read through many, many old posts just to get to a new question that may be only slightly related to the original thread.
When these threads are closed. They are only closed to new comments. They are still available to read for there content.
New guys need to start new threads for there questions. Not make us read through 187 posts to get to there new, often times losely related question.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
theandies,
Its very simple. LACK of COMMUNICATION !!!!
Someone (the O.P.) ask a question years ago and received several responses. The responses may involve specific part numbers or clearances on an engine, specific brands that work well, etc.
Then you High Jack the thread and receive responses. So now, are new responses for the original post? Or are the responses for your new posts?
With all this confusion and lack of communication, information is accidently rerouted, to wrong threads to wrong thread starters.
AKA Snafu.
Its very simple. LACK of COMMUNICATION !!!!
Someone (the O.P.) ask a question years ago and received several responses. The responses may involve specific part numbers or clearances on an engine, specific brands that work well, etc.
Then you High Jack the thread and receive responses. So now, are new responses for the original post? Or are the responses for your new posts?
With all this confusion and lack of communication, information is accidently rerouted, to wrong threads to wrong thread starters.
AKA Snafu.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,189
Likes: 206
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
It's not a written policy. Threads or posts, are closed, locked, and or deleted at the sole discretion of each individual Moderator. If they think the thread is worthy, they will let it run for years. If the poster is on the list, the thread or post goes in whatever direction a particular Mod says......
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,009
Likes: 1,116
From: North tonawanda NY
I belong to many forums and they dont all frown on adding to older ongoing discussions. When someone quotes an extremely old comment or asks a question to a member regarding a 10 year old statement I get the criticism .... In fact in some forums when you start a new thread asking the same old question thats been answered a thousand times people will direct you to use the search function. Of course when people do that they are likely to comment when they find a statement or comment they want to comment on.
The ironic part is the "Related thread"Feature here where the forum tags another thread at bottom end of every thread that people often mistakenly comment on thinking its the current thread they had been reading is a big contributor to resurrecting these old threads.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,972
Likes: 6,197
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Hope I don't get a vacation but I need to ask a question.
I see a lot of threads closed because they are a few years old. Am I missing something or does all that information not apply to our Corvettes anymore? I find them to have very valuable information that still applies today as it did in 2001. Why start a new thread when all the information is already there. Yes, some links etc. might not work but the ideas and suggestions should still be pertinent.
Just asking......
I see a lot of threads closed because they are a few years old. Am I missing something or does all that information not apply to our Corvettes anymore? I find them to have very valuable information that still applies today as it did in 2001. Why start a new thread when all the information is already there. Yes, some links etc. might not work but the ideas and suggestions should still be pertinent.
Just asking......
Im going to address the questions posed here, but I will then close the thread because 1. We have rules about public commentary, criticism and questions about the site and 2. The question here has been brought up before and does not require a public debate.
OP, I will remind you, however, if the staff member that happened across your thread had sanctioned you with “a vacation”, it would have been justified under this rule, that I’m going to guess you are familiar with:https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...questions.html
Please do not start public threads to ask these questions or criticism about site, its moderation and rules. The rule clearly asks members to “Please do not use an open thread for such messages.” Threads like this always lure someone into posting commentary that could be inflammatory or result in issues. Please PM a Moderator or an Administrator and we absolutely will answer it.