Telyn Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I think there must be some specials on Steam right now because recently we've had a lot of new members who are accidentally necro-ing threads that are from 2007 or earlier. That inevitably causes others to respond to the long-gone OP also, and risks that pre-existing members might mention the necro-ing in a way that could be considered vigilante. Yes, all new members should have read all the rules when they joined, but in the excitement of exploring a huge new site, it's probably easy to forget to check posts dates or make other common new user blunders like forgetting this is a more polite and mature site than most game sites. I am hoping it might be possible to send new members a short friendly welcome mail with a few reminders about things like:swearinglinking to forbidden sitesnecro postingfile comment rulesspoiler tags Links to the rules, advanced search, and what you get with membership would also be nice. A welcome mail is something the new user can refer to easily. I know it would take up a bit of server space, but I think it would be worth it to help new members ease themselves into the community without making mistakes that could get new people who are more confused than truly problematic in trouble. Perhaps these messages could expire after a month or so. If the member has not read it by then or has not returned, there is no real point leaving it in the mailbox probably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bben46 Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Normally all I do for a necro post is insert a comment that is a dead one and lock it - No penalty to anyone. It's usually obvious that they didn't check the date before replying to it. I've done it myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telyn Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 It's very easy to do. I've responded to them by accident before. There has just been a lot of it lately. I wondered if maybe a quick friendly reminder might reduce it back to normal levels. I think what's causing it right now is that new members are searching before they post, and that's actually a really good thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ub3rman123 Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 New users must agree to the terms of service and say they did read it to continue. I should think that'd be enough.. The old rule of 'Ignorance is no defense' strikes again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDStudios Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Yeah I have to agree with ub3rman.The TOS isn't complicated and is more common sense than anything. But yeah necro posting can be a problem. I too have made the mistake of posting on old topics once in a blue moon.I usually just message a moderator to lock it after realising my mistake.Plus anyone who notices a necro post can just report the topic and have a moderator lock it instead of just posting "Dude this topic is way old, stop necro posting" Because then your just necro posting yourself. Although those who purposely necro post for whatever reason deserve to be warned by a moderator. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkeWolf Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 To me, it all just kind of depends on the thread, and the comment posted.If it's a support or help thread, I have absolutely no problems with somebody necro posting a thread. I see it as better to keep it all in one location, than have 20 hits come up in the search. And yeah... They ARE searching. So that right there is an awesome thing.But if it's something like "Yeah I agree" and that's it. Or it looks like somebody trying to hike their post count by viewing their posting history, I'll usually send them a "Welcome Note" by PM. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ub3rman123 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 How do people find necro threads like that anyways? Is it from the search? If that's the case, I suppose adding a filter for last post date that's set to a number by default could cut down on it. That way you'd have to turn off the filter to see the 6 year old threads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LHammonds Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Yes, almost all necro-posts are because they used the search. Just because somebody posts in a thread over 30 days old does not automatically make it a necro-post. Adding new information or asking if anyone else is having the same problem and found a solution is quite OK. It is actually encouraged to search for older threads that related to what you are wanting to post before creating a new topic. Just don't expect the original commenters to respond if it is years old. hehehe. Replying to an ancient thread with a spam-like response and adding nothing to it is considered thread necromancy. LHammonds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bben46 Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Or giving a solution to a 5 year old problem. :tongue: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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