Threadmining

Mr Hardware · 08-06-2009, 04:28 PM

Admin team,

As the site continues to grow and age, a lot of topics are re-discussed. This has in turn prompted people to use the search function, and in turn reply to a many-year-old thread.

I believe this is bothersome and i'm sure you feel the same.

Is there something you can do to stop people mining threads older than a certain date?

Regards
Mr Hardware.

StealthAu · 08-06-2009, 04:41 PM

This is something I don't see the issue with, if someone starts a new thread people have a go at them for not searching first, yet if they do search, don't find an answer but a relative topic, if they post in it people have a go at them about thread mining.
So can someone please clarify what would make all the whining pricks shutup?

**GasoLane** · 08-06-2009, 04:55 PM

I'm with Mr Hardware on this. A good example can be found todayhttp://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=23401 this one goes back to 2005 !!

If it was a problem someone had and an answer to the problem has finally been found, great. Dig it up and tell everyone, but threads like the one above are just a waste of space.

gcg2503 · 08-06-2009, 04:59 PM

What is useless can be very subjective GasOLane. Dont get me wrong i agree with you on regarding that threadmine you linked in

Personally, thread mines pop up every now and again and I dont see it as a major problem or nuisance. If anything they make me laugh as its usually a newby doing the mining

**PepeLePew** · 08-06-2009, 05:06 PM

Threadmining is annoying, but as a information resource sometimes its useful to dredge an archive.

If i searched and found information on a topic I needed, but i had a point to clarify that might aid others, or something that was plainly wrong in the content, I'd happily quote a 2yr old thread so its all in one place for future searchers.

Maybe just a note in the sign on t&c's about threadmining?

**Falcon Coupe** · 08-06-2009, 05:10 PM

As has been noted it's subjective, the mine being on topic and helpful vs a bump of a thread that was debatable in the first place will decide it's lifespan.

We must remember Mods have differing opinions the same as others, what i close others may leave and so on.

**CAT600** · 08-06-2009, 05:48 PM

Perhaps an option is for threads to become "read-only" after a set period of time since the last post (3 months for example)

This would have to exclude threads such as project/build threads, but on the whole it would stop people adding to thread-mining, yet still allow users to dig up old information that may be valuble to them. This would still allow users to start a new thread with their questions/findings, and they or other users could then link the "mined" thread as a source of info without cluttering up or rehashing a long winded thread.

Daniel

LowEL2XR8 · 08-06-2009, 06:04 PM

Just leave it be and lets the mods do their jobs. Thats what they are here for.
I do agree with StealthAu about the whingers, post a new thread "oi use the flaming search button" , Dig up an old thread with something important to add "Stop thread mining. Some people can't be pleased.

On a not completely unrelated note can we get the search function to allow 3 letter words. I tried to search 'oil' for aussie 6s and it won't let me. Only 4 letter words or more. I tried oil and BF and it said try again not vaild.

Geez Louise · 08-06-2009, 06:20 PM

Type in *oil that will bring it up.

MR.BA.GT.332 · 08-06-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowEL2XR8

Just leave it be and lets the mods do their jobs. Thats what they are here for.
I do agree with StealthAu about the whingers, post a new thread "oi use the flaming search button" , Dig up an old thread with something important to add "Stop thread mining. Some people can't be pleased.

i cant agree more. I myself have copped flack for either not using search or ,then using search and digging up an old thread.... sometimes think people take things waaay to serious and its a forum after all, a source of information.... who cares how old it is, we all here to learn about something new regardless of age, maybe the whingers are also know it all's?

its a forum FFS stop taking it so serious all the time

Auslandau · 08-06-2009, 08:18 PM

Hate old threads being mined that have been started with "Thinking of buying a new BA .... what should I do!" type ones only to relise after 10 minutes if reading, its so old the OP probably did buy it 3 years ago and since sold it and bought an FG! Old technical threads or the like are usually fine by me.

Some argumentitive ones ..... "Should I drive with my fog lights on or off .... " should just die rather than being rehashed .... probably even be killed at conception come to think of it.

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**aussiblue** · 08-06-2009, 08:36 PM

I don't see any problem with 'thread mining"; nobody is making anyone read any thread new or old.

**Falcon Coupe** · 08-06-2009, 09:01 PM

Thread mining pushes newer threads off the page.
And Mods have to read regardless to make sure everyone is playing nice.