Is there a need to lock threads from a year or older, when the new format allows them to be replied in and continue with unlimited pages? much rather have a continuiiy and be able to see old information missed out on or forgotten over the years.

Same for country threads that are running on the monthly format, is there a need for them to be started anew every month when they can continue as a single thread now? maybe lock them after a certain number of pages at the most..

Can I get some examples of threads to look at?

Jeff M

Example:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1355717

We decided that due to the fact that several topics are being discussed and several updates are posted to lock them when they are between 250 and 300 posts. Furthermore there are some threads which have a higher frequency and here we decided to renew them on a monthly basis. There are also some threads where some or one member is taking care about it.

We had some deeper discussions about it between moderators and head moderators. There are members which prefer to let it be running as long as possible but there are also members which prefer to get it locked when it is approaching a certain number of posts like it was with the old page in general. So we had to find a compromise for both groups.

It's not a "compromise" though, is it? It's simply pandering to a very small vocal minority. What needs to happen is the clueless members need educating on how different forum software works. There was a fairly valid reason to lock lengthy threads on the old site because loading 500 posts on one page with quotes, pics,vids and links embedded caused performance issues for members viewing the forum on potatoes and so splitting them at around 200 posts and creating a fresh thread had some merit. That is a not a problem on the new forum software because it automatically creates a fresh page after 50 posts which is the default with most forum software and thus there is absolutely no reason anymore to lock lengthy threads and start a new one.

When this was discussed before not that long ago, the "excuse" was changed from performance issues to "some members like to have a fresh thread every month" which is absolutely ludicrous and should not be tolerated. If those (minority) members don't like the way the forum software works then it should be suggested to them that they go and start their own forum where they can create custom settings of their own choosing. There should not be preferential treatment and special privileges given by the moderators/administrators to a small group of vocal members simply because they "like to have a fresh thread every month". What about the other 99% of the membership who have to suffer the front page being filled with locked threads on the 1st of every month after SQ22 has had his monthly thread-locking kicks?

CanadaFair also makes a valid point as well in that instead of discussion on a given topic being contained in one thread which you can refer back to, you have the discussion all over the place across multiple different threads which makes searching for stuff an absolute nightmare, all because a few "special" members can't be bothered to click the 'next' button at the bottom of the page when it gets full.

I would like to think that common sense with prevail under the new owners and the forum software is allowed to function as it was designed to do without interference by certain biased parties.

SQ22 wrote:

Example:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1355717

We decided that due to the fact that several topics are being discussed and several updates are posted to lock them when they are between 250 and 300 posts. Furthermore there are some threads which have a higher frequency and here we decided to renew them on a monthly basis. There are also some threads where some or one member is taking care about it.

We had some deeper discussions about it between moderators and head moderators. There are members which prefer to let it be running as long as possible but there are also members which prefer to get it locked when it is approaching a certain number of posts like it was with the old page in general. So we had to find a compromise for both groups.

10-4, thanks.

I see things RobK's way also. We used to do that on site when they had too many replies and it killed load times. As we optimize the site things should move quicker so don't think this should be needed.

Jeff M

I'm also very much of the single thread camp. Breaking them up by months makes it harder to navigate within the thread compared to page numbers. Perhaps something for those who enjoy the monthly threads would be a post each month on the thread summarising the previous month's discussion.

V/F

VirginFlyer wrote:

I'm also very much of the single thread camp. Breaking them up by months makes it harder to navigate within the thread compared to page numbers. Perhaps something for those who enjoy the monthly threads would be a post each month on the thread summarising the previous month's discussion.

V/F

Looking at this also and will discuss with Crew.

Jeff M