What factor determines when a thread will auto-lock? Does it happens when a thread is 30 days older or more? I added a post to an older thread 2 days ago, but today it's not accessible.

So activity on an older thread does not guarantee it will be open the next day?

.......

[Edited 12/20/16 8:16am]

you know what a darboard is, right?

you know wha ta blindfold is right?

Identity said:

What factor determines when an thread will auto-lock? Does it happens when a thread is 30 days older or more? I added a post to an older thread 2 days ago, but today it's not accessible.

So activity on an older thread does not guarantee it will be open the next day?

I think this is likely to be a question that Ben will need to answer. As a matter of interest, which thread did you post on which is now closed?

This one on Norah Jones.

It's about 3-4 months, isn't it?

errant said:

It's about 3-4 months, isn't it?

Threads auto-lock after two months.

This particular thread auto-locked in less than 60 days and there have been other examples, which makes me think the process is haphazard at best.

Identity said:

This particular thread auto-locked in less than 60 days and there have been other examples, which makes me think the process is haphazard at best.

You started the Nora Jones thread on March 1st. You started this thread on May 1st saying the other thread was locked. That's two months.

Oops! It now appears I have an answer.

I don't know why threads ever should lock.

This is the only forum I use that auto locks.

The desire for no thread duplicates is pushed by all the mods to the extreme, yet we can't add on to threads of the same topic just because they're 2 months old (even when people have been conversing on it right up until the day it locks apparently!).

STRANGE.

nd33 said:

I don't know why threads ever should lock.

This is the only forum I use that auto locks.

The desire for no thread duplicates is pushed by all the mods to the extreme, yet we can't add on to threads of the same topic just because they're 2 months old (even when people have been conversing on it right up until the day it locks apparently!).

STRANGE.

I think that Ben said it had something to do with cutting down on the memory that the site uses on the server when he introduced it.

Or maybe not, because that's highly illogical for the exact reason that you mentioned.

One of my most favorite things is when a particular mod closes a newer thread and says it's a dupe and then re-directs to a thread that's already auto-locked.

It happens more than you'd think

[Edited 5/6/12 6:24am]

errant said:

nd33 said:

I don't know why threads ever should lock.

This is the only forum I use that auto locks.

The desire for no thread duplicates is pushed by all the mods to the extreme, yet we can't add on to threads of the same topic just because they're 2 months old (even when people have been conversing on it right up until the day it locks apparently!).

STRANGE.

I think that Ben said it had something to do with cutting down on the memory that the site uses on the server when he introduced it.

Or maybe not, because that's highly illogical for the exact reason that you mentioned.

One of my most favorite things is when a particular mod closes a newer thread and says it's a dupe and then re-directs to a thread that's already auto-locked.

It happens more than you'd think

[Edited 5/6/12 6:24am]

For sure, Errant. That's pretty much everyones favourite.

nd33 said:

I don't know why threads ever should lock.

This is the only forum I use that auto locks.

The desire for no thread duplicates is pushed by all the mods to the extreme, yet we can't add on to threads of the same topic just because they're 2 months old (even when people have been conversing on it right up until the day it locks apparently!).

STRANGE.

I've been on sites where there are auto locks and I've also been on a site that didn't have it but desperately needed it - given the emotional maturity of some on this forum, I suspect maybe it was implemented for the same reason this other board should have adopted it (although I don't know for sure).

I'm assuming it's to prevent thread flooding (I think that's the term). If you want to drive other posters crazy, you go to threads that are a year or two (or eight) old and bump them up.

Classic example - find all the threads from when Lotusflow3r.com was opening and fill the first page of P:M&M with threads with "New Website", "Prince launches new website", etc... causing confusion and eventually frustration that spills over into anger.

If the pests are determined enough and there's no mod around, this can potentially go on for hours, particularly once copycats get involved.

I've also seen thread flooding wars, where "rival" groups vie for the first page of threads in a forum, usually making the forum completely unusable while ancient threads keep getting bumped up, and legitimate threads get lost in the stream of movement down the page.

All of that said, if there is any way the code can be adjusted so that replying to the thread resets the autolock, that would be a huge improvement - the other autolocks I've seen always reset if there is activity in the thread. It's also worth considering maybe leaving them open at least 3 months, perhaps even 6 months.

Traditionally, the best chaos involves dredging up long forgotten (often highly contentious and emotive) threads, so there's much less fun to be had with a 4 month old discussion.

Chiquetet said:

Classic example - find all the threads from when Lotusflow3r.com was opening and fill the first page of P:M&M with threads with "New Website", "Prince launches new website", etc... causing confusion and eventually frustration that spills over into anger.

Imago would be doing this constantly.

sextonseven said:

Chiquetet said:

Classic example - find all the threads from when Lotusflow3r.com was opening and fill the first page of P:M&M with threads with "New Website", "Prince launches new website", etc... causing confusion and eventually frustration that spills over into anger.

Imago would be doing this constantly.

Like when he is bringing past birthday threads back

nd33 said:

I don't know why threads ever should lock.

This is the only forum I use that auto locks.

The desire for no thread duplicates is pushed by all the mods to the extreme, yet we can't add on to threads of the same topic just because they're 2 months old (even when people have been conversing on it right up until the day it locks apparently!).

STRANGE.