I'm a culprit. I find older threads helpful and interesting. I enjoy the ability to continue a conversation (even from a while ago) since it will include people who have knowledge about the subject and an opinion on the matter... but don't want to upset people so I can stop if it offends.

Just because a thread has fallen behind in updates or popularity doesn't mean it's any less useful or relevant.

I myself am guilty of bumping old threads because I adore the conversations of personal experience across the world and the unique, personal language every poster has.

I say, bump 'em back up!

Steven

I'm also guilty of re-reading threads over and again, often searching for specific varieties, classes, posters, or climate conditions.

Steven

I love the old threads as well,so I am guilty in bumping them up as well. Some times I enjoy the older threads more because they were so indepth, I guess in the right word here. They seemed more informative, funny, and such. I miss some of the old members even, some who I have never even conversed with, just from reading how they wrote, in the threads that they were in. So I can empathize with you, seeing how you actually knew them, I bet you miss them very much.

What I have done in the past when reading an old post, if I want more input on it, I start a new thread and include a LINK to the old thread. State your idea/opinion/need for clarification/question, then refer to the old thread. That way, us old-timers have the option of not reliving the past, while offering the newer members access to the info in the old thread. And frankly, when some of the old threads end up with hundreds of responses I'm not going to re-read it all anyway! lol. By not reading it all I might submit an idea or opinion that has already been visited, but isn't that like all conversations?

I like reviving old threads very much. I find it all very interesting, and really appreciate it.

I'm not upset at all, just want to to get some inputs. But fig_insanity made a great suggestion. I also enjoyed reading old threads too, but most of them or the person who started the thread has already left this forum and therefore wouldn't be able to see your comment. Usually, I would read the opening post and and maybe one or two posts below before iI start typing. A lot of the times, i deleted what I just typed when I found out the thread was old or has 15-20 responses below and I barely have the time to read all those. Anyway, thanks for all your comments!

Fig_insanity DOES make a good point and I agree with both of you that often the discussions are just too long for me to read all the comments. Frankly, I only did the thread-revival thing because once someone complained that a given question had already been answered in a previous thread. But then somebody else made a kind of snide remark about how I'd revived an old thread! So I don't know what to do (except try to learn to stop thinking that when people are nasty to me it's often not because of anything I did, it's just because of who they are,lol). Thank you for bringing the subject up in this gracious and civil way, Tangles Long. Now I won't feel so obliged to hunt down old threads before posting mine when I am in a hurry!

I'm glad no one has said it upsets them and that we have the option to do it either way. Thanks for the referencing ideas. Although... an example of why I like to revive old threads instead of just starting new one and referencing previous ones can be found here... http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1579054/dames-de-chenonceau.

In that example I revived a thread about Dames de Chenonceau. Several members replied, including Father Jerome, who (as I understand) has mostly left the forum.

Reviving an old thread (sometimes) notifies the people who were on the old thread. People who who have talked about the same subject before, have relevant input and experience. Sometimes... even when they have left the forum they come back to answer a question.

Since it doesn't upset people... I will probably continue. With the understanding that people may not read the whole thing (totally cool with that), but that people on the previous thread may be more inclined to chime in with updates.... even if they usually aren't on gardenweb anymore. :)

I receive updates on threads I've posted to, so sometimes an old member may come back to respond, like the above referenced thread. I love reviving old ones and hearing updates, and have also linked questions to other threads.

It's too bad that Houzz doesn't separate really long posts into pages, but when I am notified of a post the 'see comment' button takes me to the end so it doesn't really matter except on my slow computer. Many forums also list the date of the original posting and the thread starter as well as the name of the last poster. Very useful info, but I doubt Houzz will adopt it. I've really learned a not from reading the old posts and those that others have revived, so please don't stop. I never really thought it would annoy anyone.

yeah, I was pretty shocked when that poster of long ago reacted to my starting up a new thread in that way (or was it when I revived an old one?) ,but I was just a rookie then. I know better now...I HOPE!

I laugh when I want to write a reply and read through and see my old reply from years ago. Most times I still agree and sometimes I think what a beginner I was.

I've certainly been known to comment on an old thread revival - but this was mainly during a phase when numerous people, not regulars if I remember rightly, kept bringing up old threads apparently without realising they were old, and answering the OPs questions as if it they were still current 10 or more years later.

I think this may have been happening a lot because for a while Houzz was putting random undated pictures and posts in the right hand column from different times and different parts the website, maybe to attract people to explore more. I don't think they're doing this, or not so much, now.

As far as I remember, I simply (helpfully, I hope?!) pointed out it was an old thread, since otherwise others would continue going to a lot of trouble to answer the original question, assuming (or so I thought) that it was a new/current question and that the OP was still around and needing answers.. and it was when the question was specifically related to the individual asking it, eg asking for recommendations for a particular purpose or conditions, rather than a more general discussion like that lovely, and still relevant thread Cori Ann linked to.

I wonder if I may on occasion have been impatient and cut someone off at some point, unnecessarily? If so, I do apologise and will be extra careful in future not to do so. Thanks, Tangles, for raising the issue. :-)

Add me to the list of those who enjoy old threads coming up again. Often there is unique information there that would not be added today. Some of the people who are no longer on GW knew a lot and shared it generously, and I for one am glad to be reminded of things I had forgotten.