Which is better: Necroing, or reposting a topic?

Shivering Isles Resident Joined : 27 Mar 2007 Posts : 9475

I'm gonna leave it to an open vote this time (since it's not a particularly major issue), but feel free to post here and explain your reasoning.
_________________

Spoiler:

Joined : 07 Apr 2007 Posts : 435

I'd rather have it dug up, but only if it's a good thread.

Shivering Isles Resident Joined : 27 Mar 2007 Posts : 9475

My reasoning for going with "allow people to re-post an old topic but not revive a dead one":

As you may have noticed, things on this forum tend to stray off topic often - and that's fine, I have no problem with that. But bringing up an already old topic just breeds confusion; have people had a change of heart since then? Have they thought more about the issue, and come up with more evidence supporting their position? By making an entirely new topic you make a "fresh slate", where people can post their more concise arguments or make it clear that their beliefs have changed.
_________________

Spoiler:

Last edited by on Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:50 pm; edited 5 times in total

I think necroing is preferable to adding another topic about the same thing. It decreases the total amount of threads needed. That being said, I agree it's only necessary if it's a good thread. Of coarse, my definition and your definition of that will differ.

*EDIT*

Age : 22 Joined : 22 Jun 2007 Posts : 449 Location : Here

I'm fine with both, but it needs to be a topic where we still have something to say that isn't just an argument in the bad sense of the word. It's kind of case-by-case thing.
_________________

Joined : 07 Apr 2007 Posts : 435

Left the forum Joined : 30 Apr 2007 Posts : 732

If it stays on-topic, though, then it's fine for necro-ing, because obviously people cared a bit about the issue in question. OTOH, if it meanders, then it's much easier for the zombie-thread to be completely off-track from the get-go. In that case, you're better off starting a new thread.

Shivering Isles Resident Joined : 27 Mar 2007 Posts : 9475

Yeah, but odds are, while even an "on topic" thread may have stayed mostly on topic, it may veer a little off - still about the subject matter, but slightly different. And with how big threads get, you'd have to read through all or most of the posts to figure out what the new post is responding to. Far easier to just repost the topic or make a new thread on a slightly different topic.
_________________

Spoiler:

I like the idea of posting a new topic.
_________________
You're about to die. Scream if you must.

I don't think it matters. If there's an old thread someone sees and they think they have something new to add (i.e. a discussion that they feel they have relevant new info for) then necro away!

But I don't really want to be the topics police. I don't feel it's necessary or right to make someone go through every page of the forum to make sure this topic doesn't have a thread already before posting it. (just make sure there are no active ones)
_________________

Honor and Virtue Joined : 31 Mar 2007 Posts : 4279

Considering we've only had the forum open since March, nothing's going to be that big a deal. Just wait till we've got our own version of this thread.
_________________
This signature is a line of text meant to signal you that the post you are reading has ended. You may stop at any time, for everyone knows that attempts at a witty piece of writing usually fail. Nothing to see here.

Are you still reading this? No, seriously. You can stop now.

Fine. I'll write smaller. Stop now. Go away.

Please?

Did you honestly copy/enlarge this? Hahahahahaha

neither

Either one is fine with me.
_________________
"I eat the talking bees because I'm George Washington Christ."-Junkie [Bob the Ball]
Caption Contest Winner: #2 and #16

The problem is for me, is that you have a false dichotomy. In some cases, necroing seems like it would be fine - though I know a lot of hardcore forum goers hate it, I think they are somewhat arrogant.

What is really needed is a balance. If you have a legitimate retort to a specific post made in an old thread, by all means, necro. Raising the dead is never bad if they have something to say. However, if you just want to discuss something similar, or re-raise the issue, start a new thread so people do not get lost in the old one.
_________________

I prefer just posting a new topic.... it's easier then having to reread the thread trying to work out whats going on.