Attention my fishy comrades

[Baby_Baby]

It has come to my attention that many old threads are being dug up for...well pretty much no apparent reason.
This can cause problems because:
1. It is a waste of time
2. There is no point in doing it
3. It can push back some fresh new threads that need attention from good and experienced members. This can cause the starter of the topic to not get the information they need in time, which can result in fish loss, tank problems, etc.
4. People will think illy of you if you continue this behavior around the forums.
5. When you do have problems with your fish or aquarium items and start your own topic on it, people may not be so swift to answer if you have participated in this type of behavior which can be considered obnoxious

So I am kindly asking anyone who is replying to a topic to please view the posting date, which can be found on the thin green bar to the left side above a person's large font user name. If the topic has been settled or if it is more than (about) 5+ days old with no new posts, please kindly refrain from posting in that topic.
Also, please do not hijack someone's new thread with your own questions regarding your own fish and other aquarium items, as they took the time to start that to get THEIR questions answered. So please, start your own topic if you have questions regarding the maintaining of your fish and other aquarium items.

If you are having problems starting a topic (and that is getting worked out and cleaned up by other staff members) please kindly ask the starter of that thread in a PM or chat if you could use their thread to ask your own questions. People will respect you more if you simply ask.

If you have found a thread that was in the middle of a huge debate, or had many opinions on it that were posted, please do not post in it if it is old and/or settled. We do not need to be digging up arguments around here that have started to die down.
We do not need to fan the flames at FishForums.

Thank you for reading and have a lovely day

-Baby B, Fishforums Staff

[Osiris]

Good posting Beki. Thanks!

[Scuba Kid]

I would also like to add, if you don't mind, to try using the search feature before posting a new thread. This can help reduce the number of repeated questions and you may even be able to find an answer sooner.

[TheOldSalt]

The problem of course, is certain new members trying to rack up their postcount by posting useless replies galore in year-old threads. You know who you are, and so do we. Knock it off, already! No one is going to respect you more because you have made a lot of posts, and especially not if the posts you have made are just stupid or made simply for the sake of making them.

If you truly have something useful to contribute to an older thread, then fine, go for it, but by useful I mean USEFUL. If the question was never answered, answer it, but only if it's plain that the answer would be useful and relevant today. If someone is trying to get rid of some fry, for example, from 8 months ago, then don't bother, since they're long gone. Does someone have a sick fish? Don't post your advice for a cure 3 months later.. it's too late. Finally, whatever you do, don't make any stupid posts which basically say "sorry, I don't know, but good luck." A total waste of bandwidth for nothing, especially when such posts are made in year-old threads!

[tromeokid]

what about nopt being able to post at all? i have had some questions i would like to have answered but something is wrong with posting. some of us are getting error messages and cannot post new topics. anyone know how thats going or if its being taken care of?

update:sorry baby_baby...i just finished your post on the repairs and asking to post Q's on someone elses thread. ill sit back and wait.

[bscman]

Originally Posted by TheOldSalt

If you truly have something useful to contribute to an older thread, then fine, go for it, but by useful I mean USEFUL. If the question was never answered, answer it, but only if it's plain that the answer would be useful and relevant today. If someone is trying to get rid of some fry, for example, from 8 months ago, then don't bother, since they're long gone. Does someone have a sick fish? Don't post your advice for a cure 3 months later.. it's too late. Finally, whatever you do, don't make any stupid posts which basically say "sorry, I don't know, but good luck." A total waste of bandwidth for nothing, especially when such posts are made in year-old threads!

I'm in agreement with TheOldSalt here...

I don't think we should completely discourage posting in older threads. I'm a member of SEVERAL other forums, and this is the ONLY one I've come across that has such a huge problem with people posting in old threads.

Bringing up old topics can be very helpful.
For example, if you have a question that was not able to be answered right away (which fell along the wayside), but a few weeks later you come across the answer, why not go back and post it in your old thread?
Sure, it'll bring an old thread back to the top--but many of you members will remember that very thread, and the newly posted revelation can be a big help--especially to those using the search function. After all, you are also encouraging people to use the search function before posting.

I agree that posting about dying fish, free stuff, stuff for sale, etc that is several months old is a complete waste of time and bandwidth.

HOWEVER, if someone is asked a question about a certain fish, or product, or disease, etc. to which no one could answer (until months later) wouldn't it be best served to answer that question from the old post, rather than start a new thread--or worse yet--not have that pertinent information on the forum at all?
Maybe later someone will come across that old thread (using the search function) and find the answer they were looking for, and NOT HAVE to post another new thread -- which can get annoying and redundant.

I have seen several members, mostly newer members, that have been scolded for bringing up old posts. Some of these revived posts have had (recent) conversations that were VERY pertinent and helpful...but yet the poster(s) are reprimanded for bringing up the past. Why can't an old topic bring new discussion?

The way I see it, igoring the good information found (and revived) in old posts is the same as ignoring the wisdom of our elders.

But for the sake of keeping things running smoothly, I'll refrain from bumping up old posts.

[Baby_Baby]

I was talking generally towards people who post to an older thread with piffy remarks and useless statements that do not bring help to others and they only wish to raise their post count.

[bscman]

Originally Posted by Baby_Baby

I was talking generally towards people who post to an older thread with piffy remarks and useless statements that do not bring help to others and they only wish to raise their post count.

Gotcha.

I just feel as though keeping topics consolodated to single posts rather than MULTIPLE posts (on the exact same topic) would be easier to find, search through, and retrieve information.
I have seen threads run for over 150 pages--while threads THAT long can be troublesome, they can be advantageous to newcomers seeking answers to specific questions.

Thanks for the clarification

[Baby_Baby]

No problemo

On many of the forums I have we have an "archived thread" section, so your thoughts and experiences just gave me a few awesome new ideas for this place

[bscman]

Originally Posted by Baby_Baby

No problemo

On many of the forums I have we have an "archived thread" section, so your thoughts and experiences just gave me a few awesome new ideas for this place

Well then, I'll spend the remainder of my visit here today with a smug look on my face, pretending to be important, and feeling like I made a difference in the world!