"The search function, use it, cuz this thread has been done before"

[Syntax Error]

If you're a new member who made a thread, chances are you'll get a reply like this (and other, more biting variations): "Use the search bar". This in itself is a little disconcerting, because doing a search is dependent on keywords and if the thread title is not that obvious, you'll often end up with nothing/

It's gotten so ridiculous that most threads contain this reply, no matter who posted, no matter how old the original thread is. And, in fact, it's annoying me very much.

Which brings me to the next point: which is the "lesser evil"? Necroing or making a new thread about the same subject? Personally, I feel that dead threads died for a reason (be it lack of replies, or getting locked, etc.) so we should keep it that way. However, how long should a thread be "dead" before posting in it would be considered a necro?

This guy puts it better than I can:

So dredge that thread up and post in IT. This isn't like those sites where topics purge after a couple of days from the last post. And if the old thread promptly dies after you post in it? Guess what...it's a sign that you're not that damn special. ---> from the Game Rage thread [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.110888?page=1#comment_form]

However, I feel that this sort of reply can only be used in two situations:

Situation A:This reply is warranted in the most generic threads in here (e.g. "Favorite weapon", "Least favorite weapon", practically any thread title that contains a superlative adjective). These are the topics that have been done to death and, seeing them made again and again is a bit too much (though I doubt we can put a stop at this).

Situation B:This reply is warranted on threads on a subject where another thread about the same subject was created a few days before. My reasoning for this is pretty much self-explanatory.

AAAAAAAAAND that's about it for my little rant. (If this has been done before and fits in one of the two situations I listed, well, that would be one delicious piece of irony).

 

[Shycte]

There is nothing wrong with necroing a semi original thread if you have something interesting to say. Saying "fuck it, I want to make a thread for people to reply to" is just inconsiderate really.

Agreed.

 

[D_987]

Oh delicious irony.

 

[Syntax Error]

There is nothing wrong with necroing a semi original thread if you have something interesting to say. Saying "fuck it, I want to make a thread for people to reply to" is just inconsiderate really.

I guess I was a little too extreme on calling necros an "evil" thing. It's just that necroposting is frowned upon in the other message boards I've been in.

 

[Sevre]

Oh delicious irony.

Quiet, lets hope no one notices.

 

[Lord Krunk]

There is nothing wrong with necroing a semi original thread if you have something interesting to say. Saying "fuck it, I want to make a thread for people to reply to" is just inconsiderate really.

I agree with this. Necroing > Non-original threads. Which brings me to...

Quiet, lets hope no one notices.

Okay, I won't finish that sentence.

As a sidenote, the search button is dodgy and the Mods know that. So what should you do instead? Use Google. It does the job brilliantly.

 

[Ancalagon]

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.110899

There you go, it was done before eight hours ago. Although admittedly the OP in this thread is a lot better, and because of the cryptic title in the older thread, you could hardly be expected to find it with the search button. But 'Why do people keep telling other people to use the search button?' threads happen with self-answering frequency.

 

[Lios]

Common unwritten rule between most forums is don't revive/bump/necro threads that are older than one or two weeks, and just make a new topic.

Anyone who just acts like a dick because they found a thread on whatever you made that's been dead for over a month, they're just trolling, so don't feed them.

 

[Lord Krunk]

Well, if you only necro'd threads, this forum would eventually die, because then you'd only see the same threads all of the time and no one would be posting in them aside from the new people.

Not quite. It gets rid of the repetitive (and mostly boring) threads that inhabit threads, and make way for creative and well-written threads to not get drowned out by the crappy ones. Which happens a lot, by the way.

Looking at Off-Topic at this moment, about half of the front page is crammed with threads that have either been done before or are incredibly stupid.

 

[Fire Daemon]

Common unwritten rule between most forums is don't revive/bump/necro threads that are older than one or two weeks, and just make a new topic.

It's the exact opposite here. Bring back an older thread instead of creating your own.

You know what I blame? Badges. Why Necro a popular thread when you can create your own and get the Hot Topic badge?

 

[Lord Krunk]

Common unwritten rule between most forums is don't revive/bump/necro threads that are older than one or two weeks, and just make a new topic.

It's the exact opposite here. Bring back an older thread instead of creating your own.

You know what I blame? Badges. Why Necro a popular thread when you can create your own and get the Hot Topic badge?

My thoughts exactly.

 

[oppp7]

I honestly don't see the problem with necroing old threads. I mean, repeat threads aren't as bad as some people [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/The-Thread-Necromancers] say they are, since they do a better job of keeping older members occupied than reusing old threads, but overall I think you shouldn't make a new thread until a few weeks have passed, at least.

And I necro'd this thread because I was thinking about starting this thread for a while but didn't want to repeat thread(also I couldn't resist the delicious irony).

 

[DefunctTheory]

Is necro posting allowed? If it's not, then remaking threads is the only way to generate discussion among people who haven't discussed that particular person/place or thing.

If the thread is still archived, you can bring it back.

Though honestly, if 3-4 weeks have passed, its probably safe to start cloning topics.

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

Is necro posting allowed? If it's not, then remaking threads is the only way to generate discussion among people who haven't discussed that particular person/place or thing.

There is actually nothing against it in the guidelines, it was just frowned upon for so long that it became a bit of a mythical rule.
Necroing may still be frowned upon, but now that we know it is not against the rules, it ain't so bad anymore. Still, if a subject has been dead for a while, and one can place a new spin on the subject, then it may be better to make a new thread.
It is up to the judgement of the user.

 

[neoontime]

I mean if we all tried to be real original, we only be posting news and that can sometimes just be lame

 

[oppp7]

Also, has anyone else noticed they've started deleteing Forum Games? Did I miss an announcement or something?