"Similar Threads" box - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

Stuie · 22nd Jul 2011, 12:30 AM

I was just curious if this was going to be in the update as this feature primarily results in necrobumps. Is there a way to turn it off on the current version, although I guess that isn't a particularly high priority considering the update soon? It happens pretty frequently and people don't notice and keep bumping them, even though they may be from as far back as 2007.

**Chip** · 22nd Jul 2011, 02:09 AM

"necrobumps"... I love it!

You raise an interesting point.

On the one hand, it's likely that a user may find info that s/he is asking about has already been addressed in an older thread, so it may cut down on duplication of questions (though, clearly, we still get plenty of that.)

On the other hand, the bumping of neanderthal-era threads can get annoying and at worst confusing.

The staff has talked about this issue and possible resolutions to it but so far we haven't come up with anything that seems like an ideal solution. We will probably consider it more as we work on the coming upgrade.

Fairybread · 22nd Jul 2011, 03:28 AM

Could it be an option to lock the threads after a certain time period with no posts?

TriBi · 22nd Jul 2011, 03:40 AM

^ The difficulty with this is that the 'problem' doesn't actually surface until someone actually bumps a thread which may be 2, 3 or more years old...and then their motives for doing so have to be assessed...

Paul_UK · 22nd Jul 2011, 10:09 AM

I think Fairybread is suggesting an automatic system that locks threads a certain period of time after the last post (say 3-6 months). There are vBulletin addons to do that which might be worth considering as part of the update.

TheWanderer · 22nd Jul 2011, 12:51 PM

I believe in vB 4.x one can set the parameters from which the software searches and displays said "similar threads" One of which should be within a certain time period, number of replies, exclude stickies etc... Its been a while since the last time I used vB so Im unaware of what is in the most recent updates or what people have released for addons. However, there has to something to accomplish all this.

Is EC going to a full 4.x upgrade or just a newer 3.8x?

**Chip** · 22nd Jul 2011, 01:58 PM

It will be 4.x.

We have considered auto-locking older threads but there are some arguments against that (in some cases it's better to continue discussion on an old thread rather than to start a new one) but, to be honest, it's not been a topic that's been extensively discussed.

TheWanderer · 22nd Jul 2011, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chip

It will be 4.x.

YAY!!! Get ready for some fancy stuff... Now to refrain myself from posting a bunch of cool addons...

**Chip** · 22nd Jul 2011, 03:36 PM

If you want to PM Martin or I with your suggestions for add-ons, we'll take a look and combine that with other options the staff has been or will be considering.

It's a little complicated because EC's current vBulletin is already pretty highly customized because of our security features, so some plugins aren't compatible, but Martin has been looking at various plugins and features.

fiddledeedee · 23rd Jul 2011, 04:18 PM

Could we have a notice at the top or something reminding people not to bump threads without good reason, and only where relevant. People don't seem to like the notices though, so that might not work so well. Is there a way to not necessarily lock a thread but tag it as "old" and have a notice come up if someone wants to post something new? I know I like the similar threads box, though; as has been said. it helps answer questions and get new perspectives.

22nd Jul 2011, 12:30 AM	#1
Stuie Hugs - $POA Full Member Gender: e^(πi) +1 = 0 Orientation: Schnoo Out Status: Moo Cow Location: Canberra, Australia Age: 19 Posts: 1,463 Join Date: Aug 2008	"Similar Threads" box I was just curious if this was going to be in the update as this feature primarily results in necrobumps. Is there a way to turn it off on the current version, although I guess that isn't a particularly high priority considering the update soon? It happens pretty frequently and people don't notice and keep bumping them, even though they may be from as far back as 2007. __________________ STRAAAAAAAAAAAWURUWERT AND THE LESBIANS! MADDATRON3000X's (Maddy) Fag Hag Loves Pauline in the form of the equation f(x): (-∞,2) -> R, 2^-x

22nd Jul 2011, 02:09 AM	#2
Chip EC Advisor EC Admin Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: northern CA Posts: 5,582 Join Date: May 2008	Re: "Similar Threads" box "necrobumps"... I love it! You raise an interesting point. On the one hand, it's likely that a user may find info that s/he is asking about has already been addressed in an older thread, so it may cut down on duplication of questions (though, clearly, we still get plenty of that.) On the other hand, the bumping of neanderthal-era threads can get annoying and at worst confusing. The staff has talked about this issue and possible resolutions to it but so far we haven't come up with anything that seems like an ideal solution. We will probably consider it more as we work on the coming upgrade.

22nd Jul 2011, 03:28 AM	#3
Fairybread Flying on broken wings Full Member Gender: Ask again later? (physically female) Orientation: Panromantic Lesbian Out Status: Closet? What closet? Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand Age: 17 Posts: 1,487 Join Date: Apr 2011	Re: "Similar Threads" box Could it be an option to lock the threads after a certain time period with no posts? __________________ *"I wanna celebrate and live my life, saying heyyooo, I live the rainbow"* ~[Fairybread] 3:23pm: I'm attracted to personalities, unless the personality comes with a penis ~

22nd Jul 2011, 03:40 AM	#4
TriBi Cheers! Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Bisexual Location: DownUnder Posts: 3,899 Join Date: Dec 2004	Re: "Similar Threads" box ^ The difficulty with this is that the 'problem' doesn't actually surface until someone actually bumps a thread which may be 2, 3 or more years old...and then their motives for doing so have to be assessed...

22nd Jul 2011, 10:09 AM	#5
Paul_UK Former Empty Closets Admin Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Bournemouth, UK Age: 47 Posts: 13,155 Join Date: Nov 2004	Re: "Similar Threads" box I think Fairybread is suggesting an automatic system that locks threads a certain period of time after the last post (say 3-6 months). There are vBulletin addons to do that which might be worth considering as part of the update. __________________ Paul

22nd Jul 2011, 12:51 PM	#6
TheWanderer Pork Lover of EC Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: few friends, cousin, co-workers Location: massachusetts Age: 25 Posts: 335 Join Date: Dec 2010	Re: "Similar Threads" box I believe in vB 4.x one can set the parameters from which the software searches and displays said "similar threads" One of which should be within a certain time period, number of replies, exclude stickies etc... Its been a while since the last time I used vB so Im unaware of what is in the most recent updates or what people have released for addons. However, there has to something to accomplish all this. Is EC going to a full 4.x upgrade or just a newer 3.8x? __________________ “Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R Tolkien

22nd Jul 2011, 01:58 PM	#7
Chip EC Advisor EC Admin Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: northern CA Posts: 5,582 Join Date: May 2008	Re: "Similar Threads" box It will be 4.x. We have considered auto-locking older threads but there are some arguments against that (in some cases it's better to continue discussion on an old thread rather than to start a new one) but, to be honest, it's not been a topic that's been extensively discussed.

22nd Jul 2011, 03:36 PM	#9
Chip EC Advisor EC Admin Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: northern CA Posts: 5,582 Join Date: May 2008	Re: "Similar Threads" box If you want to PM Martin or I with your suggestions for add-ons, we'll take a look and combine that with other options the staff has been or will be considering. It's a little complicated because EC's current vBulletin is already pretty highly customized because of our security features, so some plugins aren't compatible, but Martin has been looking at various plugins and features.

23rd Jul 2011, 04:18 PM	#10
fiddledeedee 22/12-31/12+X! Full Member Gender: Complicated female Orientation: Bisexual Out Status: Most, sans Dad Location: England Age: 15 Posts: 1,128 Join Date: May 2011	Re: "Similar Threads" box Could we have a notice at the top or something reminding people not to bump threads without good reason, and only where relevant. People don't seem to like the notices though, so that might not work so well. Is there a way to not necessarily lock a thread but tag it as "old" and have a notice come up if someone wants to post something new? I know I like the similar threads box, though; as has been said. it helps answer questions and get new perspectives. __________________ A problem should be measured not by the cause of the problem but by the consequences it has on a person. ~ Anfauglith