Thread Necro-ing

[Necrosnoop110]

I use internet boards a fair amount, for all sorts of things - gaming and otherwise. Some boards seem to go crazy when you don't use the search function and create a brand new thread when an old one already exists, they'd rather you necro old threads and continue the line of thought. Other boards do the exact opposite, they go crazy when you necro an old thread for any reason, even if it totally and legitimately follows the line of thought of the original thread.

My own views are what does it matter as long as you are necro-ing a thread legitimately, i.e. not just dreading up old threads for nonsensical reasons but actually using the thread for its intended purpose(s). I am confused to why it is considered in bad taste to continue using an older thread, unless it is some sort of off topic spamming or the like. I mean why save older threads if you cannot use them again? Or if they are an issue for some reason why not just auto-lock the older threads for reference only.

So... two questions...

(1) In general is it "wrong" to thread necro, why or why not? Who says so? (I personally see nothing wrong with it and see it as good thing)

(2) Does BG have any official policy on thread necro-ing?

Peace,
Necro        

[altpersona]

i think bg policy is to mildly ridicule people who practice the dark art.

we generally have repetitive utility threads here, such as 'ask a simple question'. to cut down on thread count.

[Necrosnoop110]

i think bg policy is to mildly ridicule people who practice the dark art.

Is that an actual policy or just the way the wind blows?

we generally have repetitive utility threads here, such as 'ask a simple question'. to cut down on thread count.

If the goal is to "cut down on thread count" then necro-ing is a good thing in that regard, no?

Peace,
Necro

[altpersona]

i think bg policy is to mildly ridicule people who practice the dark art.

Is that an actual policy or just the way the wind blows?

same thing

[veekie]

i think bg policy is to mildly ridicule people who practice the dark art.

Is that an actual policy or just the way the wind blows?

same thing

Pretty much. It matters less if the necromancy has Content though. Contributing is the difference between carrying on the conversation and inflicting ridicule.

Necroing with a low content post is annoying, especially to people who compulsively read every post.

As for posting a new thread when a thread already exists, I figure if the predecessor isn't on the first two pages its probably fair game, as well as when theres significant differences going on..

[archangel.arcanis]

Also due to database speed issues when a thread hits 50 pages they want us to start a new version of it. So you can only necro so much before it becomes truly taboo.

[veekie]

On the other hand threads that actually NEED necroing usually have difficulty hitting 10 pages, much less 50.

Other than the endless [X] vs [Y]

[Necrosnoop110]

So basically it's mob-rule on this? 

[Prime32]

This isn't an official statement or anything, I don't know if Meg has ever said anything about necro'ing. But if you want to keep people happy...

It comes down to context; some threads are more okay to necro than others. In general, homebrew threads are okay to necro while heated debates are not - bumping the former leaves people flattered, and the latter makes them angry. Don't necro a thread if a newer one on the same topic exists (if you want to comment on something there, link to the old thread in the new one). Don't necro a thread where everyone appears to be completely ignorant on a topic, there probably wasn't much information at the time. And don't post in any thread that's 50+ pages, the database doesn't like you making them bigger.

[SorO_Lost]

Do feel free to necro any handbook or resource though. Like feel free to necro my Class Boosters thread, I love new stuff and I'm sure many of the other list style threads would appreciate the same, like Binko's Bargain Bin or the Weapon/Armor Enhancement thread.

[Tenebrus]

I remember when I first came on BG and found all sorts of topics that I inadvertently necro'd.  I think new people get to comment, again agreeing that if they have actual content and contributions then necro'ing is pretty harmless.