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Commenting on relatively old threads - What's the correct etiquette?

Commenting on a dead thread is silly, like, "nice glasses bro," on a thread two years old. Reviving a thread to restart conversation or to ask a similar question is always preferred rather than starting your own thread.
 
Some people just shoot down others who have posted in an old thread regardless of whether they have added anything to the discussion. Dunno why they get so wound up about it, particularly as they berate someone just as much for posting a new post about topics discussed before :s.
Bump the crap out of old threads. Franks the king of it!
 
Regarding the OP question, obviously bumping necro threads is frowned upon not just here but on forums in general, but it's not always inappropriate to bump them.

First, ownership - if you created the now-necro thread, you should be allowed to bump it in any circumstances without being questioned. "It's my party and I can cry if I want to." Obvious exception is if it was mod-locked.

Next, relevance - is the content of the necro thread still relevant? For example, a discussion about valuation or availability from 2012 will have no modern relevance and a new thread on the topic would be more appropriate. But an open question, often subjective, that isn't tied to a particular time period, such as "how many Oaks do you take with you on vacation?" is better bumped than creating a new thread.

Next, value - does your post contribute to the thread, add value? For example, a necro thread for a question that was already thoroughly answered, especially a timely question, doesn't need to be brought back to life with yet another answer. And, though appreciative posts are acceptable and a large part of this forum's activity, think twice before making one on someone's necro thread. It doesn't add value. Sure, some OPs may enjoy the revival, but others may not appreciate dredging up the past, especially if they've since posted an updated thread on the topic. In general just keep the greater audience in mind, when they read your necro-bump are they gonna think "that was interesting" or "why is this guy posting that here?".

Regarding flaming, sure some light joking is bound to happen now and then but there's no need to flame people for this. Aside from newbies who've never joined a forum before and have no concept of this topic, usually I see necro bumps in three areas:
- Bumper is a newbie and didn't notice the datestamp of the thread / last post. Thinks they're participating in a current discussion.
- Bumper has a question and revives a necro thread on a similar topic. Relevance should be considered for this one; in some cases the bump is appropriate but most of the time the poster would be better served creating a new thread.
- Forum members who know what they're doing deliberately bumping a necro, either out of shenanigans or a genuine desire to restart conversation on a thread that still has relevance.

Regarding the opposite behavior of people getting criticized for starting a new thread instead of bumping an old one, that shouldn't be confused with asking a question that's already been answered.
- If you have a question, use the search function to see if it's already been answered. Please don't limit it to a token gesture but actually try to find the answer. Then look for category threads designed for the question, like the values and fakes thread. If you can't find anything, create a new thread.
- If you want to start a new thread on some general topic of discussion, first search to see if such a thread already exists. If they do and they're still relevant it's often better to bump.

But all of this is subjective, dependent on peoples' interpretations and opinions, and over time experience will be the best teacher.
 
Regarding the OP question, obviously bumping necro threads is frowned upon not just here but on forums in general, but it's not always inappropriate to bump them.

First, ownership - if you created the now-necro thread, you should be allowed to bump it in any circumstances without being questioned. "It's my party and I can cry if I want to." Obvious exception is if it was mod-locked.

Next, relevance - is the content of the necro thread still relevant? For example, a discussion about valuation or availability from 2012 will have no modern relevance and a new thread on the topic would be more appropriate. But an open question, often subjective, that isn't tied to a particular time period, such as "how many Oaks do you take with you on vacation?" is better bumped than creating a new thread.

Next, value - does your post contribute to the thread, add value? For example, a necro thread for a question that was already thoroughly answered, especially a timely question, doesn't need to be brought back to life with yet another answer. And, though appreciative posts are acceptable and a large part of this forum's activity, think twice before making one on someone's necro thread. It doesn't add value. Sure, some OPs may enjoy the revival, but others may not appreciate dredging up the past, especially if they've since posted an updated thread on the topic. In general just keep the greater audience in mind, when they read your necro-bump are they gonna think "that was interesting" or "why is this guy posting that here?".

Regarding flaming, sure some light joking is bound to happen now and then but there's no need to flame people for this. Aside from newbies who've never joined a forum before and have no concept of this topic, usually I see necro bumps in three areas:
- Bumper is a newbie and didn't notice the datestamp of the thread / last post. Thinks they're participating in a current discussion.
- Bumper has a question and revives a necro thread on a similar topic. Relevance should be considered for this one; in some cases the bump is appropriate but most of the time the poster would be better served creating a new thread.
- Forum members who know what they're doing deliberately bumping a necro, either out of shenanigans or a genuine desire to restart conversation on a thread that still has relevance.

Regarding the opposite behavior of people getting criticized for starting a new thread instead of bumping an old one, that shouldn't be confused with asking a question that's already been answered.
- If you have a question, use the search function to see if it's already been answered. Please don't limit it to a token gesture but actually try to find the answer. Then look for category threads designed for the question, like the values and fakes thread. If you can't find anything, create a new thread.
- If you want to start a new thread on some general topic of discussion, first search to see if such a thread already exists. If they do and they're still relevant it's often better to bump.

But all of this is subjective, dependent on peoples' interpretations and opinions, and over time experience will be the best teacher.

tl;dr
 
Regarding the OP question, obviously bumping necro threads is frowned upon not just here but on forums in general, but it's not always inappropriate to bump them.

First, ownership - if you created the now-necro thread, you should be allowed to bump it in any circumstances without being questioned. "It's my party and I can cry if I want to." Obvious exception is if it was mod-locked.

Next, relevance - is the content of the necro thread still relevant? For example, a discussion about valuation or availability from 2012 will have no modern relevance and a new thread on the topic would be more appropriate. But an open question, often subjective, that isn't tied to a particular time period, such as "how many Oaks do you take with you on vacation?" is better bumped than creating a new thread.

Next, value - does your post contribute to the thread, add value? For example, a necro thread for a question that was already thoroughly answered, especially a timely question, doesn't need to be brought back to life with yet another answer. And, though appreciative posts are acceptable and a large part of this forum's activity, think twice before making one on someone's necro thread. It doesn't add value. Sure, some OPs may enjoy the revival, but others may not appreciate dredging up the past, especially if they've since posted an updated thread on the topic. In general just keep the greater audience in mind, when they read your necro-bump are they gonna think "that was interesting" or "why is this guy posting that here?".

Regarding flaming, sure some light joking is bound to happen now and then but there's no need to flame people for this. Aside from newbies who've never joined a forum before and have no concept of this topic, usually I see necro bumps in three areas:
- Bumper is a newbie and didn't notice the datestamp of the thread / last post. Thinks they're participating in a current discussion.
- Bumper has a question and revives a necro thread on a similar topic. Relevance should be considered for this one; in some cases the bump is appropriate but most of the time the poster would be better served creating a new thread.
- Forum members who know what they're doing deliberately bumping a necro, either out of shenanigans or a genuine desire to restart conversation on a thread that still has relevance.

Regarding the opposite behavior of people getting criticized for starting a new thread instead of bumping an old one, that shouldn't be confused with asking a question that's already been answered.
- If you have a question, use the search function to see if it's already been answered. Please don't limit it to a token gesture but actually try to find the answer. Then look for category threads designed for the question, like the values and fakes thread. If you can't find anything, create a new thread.
- If you want to start a new thread on some general topic of discussion, first search to see if such a thread already exists. If they do and they're still relevant it's often better to bump.

But all of this is subjective, dependent on peoples' interpretations and opinions, and over time experience will be the best teacher.
Frank,dingo ,and @pjd1234 are d!cks :eek: that's why we do it :D
 
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