Why is it illegal to post on a thread that is more than a month old?

[DowntownDumpling]

I was recently given a warning for this. It seems like a pretty stupid issue, especially since it's a pain to start new threads and have people comment on them when there's a perfectly good old thread. Why is it illegal?

Another question: What will happen to me if I accidentally do it again?

 

[Vrai]

It's frustrating. Old topics are old for a reason, and that's generally because the topic has gotten stale and/or has been dropped. In most sections you're perfectly free to make a duplicate of the old thread (so long as it really is dead) if you really feel the need to post about it.

Basically: It's a rule that has always been there and probably won't change, and as long as you're aware of yourself you won't break it again.

 

[DowntownDumpling]

Before that, I had never deliberately checked the dates on any of the posts. It's kind of paranoia-inducing, but I'll try.

I'm still struggling to truly understand it. Maybe it's an issue that only arises over the scope of thousands of threads. I know that on Facebook discussion boards, with which I have more experience, posting on old topics is welcomed and new versions of old ones are almost never created.

 

[Nihilego]

Regarding the second part of your question, don't do it and you'll never have to find out. But I'd imagine that you would receive a 2-point infraction as you've already been warned and depending on your past infraction history possibly temporarily banned.

I'm still struggling to truly understand it. Maybe it's an issue that only arises over the scope of thousands of threads. I know that on Facebook discussion boards, with which I have more experience, posting on old topics is welcomed and new versions of old ones are almost never created.

PokéCommunity hopefully aims to be a bit more organised and run more smoothly than facebook does. Keeping discussions up-to-date and active rather than letting them die and reviving them again half a year later is so much more streamlined and easier for everyone.

Another thing is that it's easier to find the discussion you want if it's active and if it isn't active, you can make it yourself. You don't have to go digging through the forums for stuff.

 

[Oryx]

Also, often the information in those threads are old and outdated. For example, say you post in a thread where they're discussing something related to Black and White, but it was created before the English names were revealed. People would be reading that, confused as to what the names are, because the thread is so old and no one posted in it. There's also the issue of people posting the same thing twice in a thread; if they posted once in a thread 6 months ago, I doubt they're going to remember that they did and will post again.

I've actually never been on a forum where this wasn't a rule...but tbh I don't understand why the forum doesn't auto-lock anything older than a month old that's not stickied. I never understood that on any forum xD;

 

[FreakyLocz14]

If you feel that reviving the thread woul stir up a meaningful conversation, you could always make a new thread on the topic.

 

[Guy]

I've actually never been on a forum where this wasn't a rule...but tbh I don't understand why the forum doesn't auto-lock anything older than a month old that's not stickied. I never understood that on any forum xD;

There isn't anything said above that hasn't already answered why threads over a month old aren't revived. That said, not all forums, and not all of the sections here at PokéCommunity follow the one-month rule. For instance, in Game Development threads are considered inactive after two months since its last post date. I believe this also applies for Graphics & Photography as well as other forums that are dependent on a person's update to that thread and that it doesn't always happen very quickly. So, it's better not to have an auto-lock feature in this case, at least in my opinion.

 

[kuzronk]

because they don't want old threads to come back after they been talked about heaps and there is no more to talk about

 

[Ivysaur]

Also, all boards where the month rule apply have the "only show threads from the last month" default setting, so you actually have to go actively looking for old threads. If you simply look at the main thread index in every forum, you should be okay.

 

[Guy]

Also, all boards where the month rule apply have the "only show threads from the last month" default setting, so you actually have to go actively looking for old threads. If you simply look at the main thread index in every forum, you should be okay.

Speaking of that, there are some boards that go by the one-month rule that I noticed actually need the "only show threads from the last month" default setting. Black and White and the Fourth Generation Gaming (DS) forum would be the two I'm looking at that don't have this. Those have pages going back from the beginning.

 

[DowntownDumpling]

But to be clear, it is always okay to post on stickies, no matter how old they are, right?

 

[Guy]

Yes, if it's an open sticky, then no matter how old it is you are allowed to post in it.

 

[Pokemon Game Fan]

I agree. I see some great discussions from way back then that I'd love to add to. It's a shame for this rule honestly. Just my opinion.

 

[Astinus]

Then make a new thread on the topic. If you want to add something to the discussion, then there's most likely someone else who would like to as well. Starting up a new thread on the topic would allow the members who weren't around when it happened to discuss the topic. But bumping up the old thread, you're bringing back a discussion that members who probably aren't around anymore talked about.

I've actually never been on a forum where this wasn't a rule...but tbh I don't understand why the forum doesn't auto-lock anything older than a month old that's not stickied.

Fanfiction and Writing is another forum where that option won't work.

 

[Pokemon Game Fan]

Actually, looking at what you said, I kinda agree with that. Although the punishment is too harsh IMO. Warnings should be given for serious offenses.

 

[Oryx]

Actually, looking at what you said, I kinda agree with that. Although the punishment is too harsh IMO. Warnings should be given for serious offenses.

A warning is the least harsh punishment on PC. It doesn't count for anything at all. Why is it too harsh for anything? There's literally nothing less harsh than a warning, it goes warning > infraction > ban.

 

[Kenshin5]

Actually, looking at what you said, I kinda agree with that. Although the punishment is too harsh IMO. Warnings should be given for serious offenses.

It's just telling you not to repeat the action again. Now if you got infracted right off the bat for that then that might be one thing. I don't see how a warning is harsh, but that's just me then. Most of the forums I have been too I see this as quite valid. Because almost all the time I do see an old topic revived(usually several months too over a year old) the post in question doesn't really contribute much at all to the topic or does not add anything that hasn't already been said. So starting a new topic on the subject gives it freshness and room to build on.

 

[Pokemon Game Fan]

^^ I know, but some people might take it bad. I've met people that get upset cause they receive warnings and it makes them feel that they did something serious or really wrong, to take the first step into getting banned.

^ Yeah but those threads just get locked.

Maybe the warnings wouldn't be considered serious if they weren't like the first step towards getting banned. It's like being under a trap if warnings are going to be given so loosely.

 

[Kenshin5]

If the member has a question and they are concerned that something might be against the rules or could cause them to get a warning then they could contact the staff member of the area they are posting in or a Higher Staff member. I received one warning for telling my friend he was not allowed to have NOK(Korean Pokemon) traded and that was way back in 08 and I haven't managed to receive anything like that since. So I don't think it will be too much of a problem, if you don't worry about it, observe the date of the previous post or the rules of the forum and it's subsections there really shouldn't be a worry of infractions, warnings, or bans in the slightest.

 

[Pokemon Game Fan]

I know, I'm just saying some people are more sensitive and they might feel like they've done something really really wrong to get the first step to getting banned.