Thank you, chispa! This needed to be said. All those ancient threads dredged up -- ugh!

Amen to that!!!

Kudos

LOL, MizGG!

Listen to Chispa. If you want responses/answers don't post questions on an old thread. Those of us who have been around awhile will most likely not open those old threads. So your question will receive few, if any, responses. YOUR questions deserve a new thread.

I thanked MizGG for her comment, but maybe I should have reported her as spam! ;-)

The weird part about zombie threads, is reading through a long one, having a sense of deja-vu and then reading a comment you wrote five years ago!!

Yes, and they ofttimes bring to mind those who have left. Remember whitdobie's beautiful red border collie?

Or when you read through an old thread and suddenly see your name..What ? ..I said that ? Who was I ?

Really appreciate the effort to help get rid of the constant annoyance of those threads. I have a feeling that they are often revived by non-gardenwebbers who google search a topic and find old threads. Really wish the powers that be would come up with a permanent solution. Not sure why it just started with the Houzz takeover.

I have been on GW since 2001. I have to admit that I am slightly worried that something ridiculous that I posted ten years ago will suddenly pop up on the front page. It's too bad TBTB can't make threads read only after a certain number of years.

There is an easy solution - close the thread and make them read-only after a certain period.

Although, some can be useful. What neutral paint worked best in your north facing room? The advise on the old threads are still helpful today.

Good point ellendi6161 and sometimes topics are discussed to extinction so that the old threads serve as a reminder that a new discussion isn't really needed. But I am in the habit of checking the start date of the thread before I even open it.

After reading an old thread that was recently revived, maybe there should be a more formal set of instructions like there used to be on the old GW instead of YELLING at newcomers who post.

I'd been lurking on the old GW for years before I started posting and know enough that the variety of contributors here has lessened. (Variety, not quality.) The long-time posters' responses are always very helpful but also very predictable. Some new perspectives would be fun but maybe keep in mind there is a learning curve when it comes to contributing on this forum.

Thank you for posting this chispa. Pretty annoying most of the time, even though an occasional old thread that surfaces might contain some worthwhile info. Can't you still search on topics and get the same info?

I find some of the old threads annoying too however, I do agree with the minority that the threads may be old but can and do still have helpful information in them. New responses with new ideas can refresh the information too. Unfortunately, we may be regulars but we don't own the forum and it's free for everyone to use as they please (as long as it fits GW's rules).

The easiest solution for those who don't want to be bothered with old threads is to look at the date of a thread before you engage in it. If it's not something you want to revisit, skip it.

I am also in the minority that doesn't mind. There is a lot of good info in old threads. Plus, if YOU are reading an old thread it means YOU didn't check the date before you clicked. Just sayin'.

The problem is that you get involved in the question/project in the thread and then get to the end and realize it was from 5 years ago and completed by now. Which is why I said if you want to talk more about that same subject, then start a new thread with your questions/ideas and link to the old thread as background information.

You can do as much research, reading of old threads and looking up information for your project, as you want, but there is no need to post a "me too" comment and bring back and old thread, just to show us that you read through it.

I understand that, but I think you're spending a lot of energy trying to fix an irritation. After all, if you the reader didn't notice the date and read an old post, why does it upset you that other readers/writers didn't notice? I don't think posters to old threads post just to show us that you read through it. They just didn't notice the date. There is plenty of room here and also plenty of bumping to keep active threads on page one.

How about the posting of off-decorating topics on this side instead of Conversations? Pet peeve.

It's not a complicated fix, just look at the date the thread was started before opening it; how hard can it be when it's right there below the threads title?

Allison, I know what you mean, I'm like that when looking at board on Pinterest; why would someone have hair cuts in their animal board for example. LOL Honestly, though, I don't think that's something people do intentionally. I can't count how many times I've thought I was in conversations, wrote and posted my thoughts and then discovered oops, wrong spot...(while asking how the heck did that happen?) I've learned the hard way to check it right after posting so I can move it if it's wrong....but I don't think a lot of people especially newer folks realize they're doing it when they are.

Don't even get me started on Pinterest! I don't want them to follow someone for me, and I am tired of the ad pins. Too many!

There is an easy solution - close the thread and make them read-only after a certain period.

Graywings, I agree with you 100%. Seems we had this discussion a few months ago, and I was surprised to learn how many are opposed to such a thing.

While we're chatting about threads in general, I have one major/minor gripe. And this isn't about anyone in particular, perhaps I've done it myself.

Threads titled, for example:

Help!

Why?

Just one more

Which one?

What would you do?

Etc.

Can you just give a brief word or three as to what the post is about?

I noticed that a few of the old threads are opened by spammers. I dont bother looking at the old ones anymore.

Linelle, I find those threads intriguing, I want to know what they are all about.

Rose, I'm glad you enjoy them. :) I sometimes do not enjoy opening a thread to discover I have no interest in the subject or anything to offer. I guess I like clear, easy to understand labeling.

Time for a much needed bump! Once again, old threads are popping back up.

Umm, irony? Bumping this old thread?

I wish they'd do here what they do on other forums, such as Tripadvisor. You can still pull up old threads and read what's there - you just can't post to them. I believe there's a six month "expiration period" on Tripadvisor threads. Seems the reappearance of the old threads here bother some folks and don't bother others, but if they'd institute something along the lines of what I just described, I think the issue would be alleviated all around. This would also make things a little tougher for spammers, which I'm sure we'd all appreciate.

It doesn't bother me, I just feel badly for those who jump on and try to help someone that's long gone by now.

Maybe we should do like on the kitchen forum. Keep bumping this up so that it stays on page 1?

Nothing to say, just posting here to see if this issue has been fixed in the past 3 years.

Edit: Wow, it hasn't. I'm guessing that most of this site's regular users have left, as it's rather unacceptable that such a basic flaw would still exist today (or for that matter, even in late 2015, when this topic was introduced.)