Can someone please explain why it is better to start a new thread than reply to an existing one? A moderator recently moved my reply to a new thread instead of leaving it in the old thread after I stubbornly ignored the thread status warning when writing my reply.
This seems to be a common trend in support forums (e.g. Apple) that has developed over the past few years. It bothers me, and I'd like to better understand the thinking.
Pro's for keeping the same thread
Con's for keeping the same thread
There's some impact on reducing the number of hits when searching threads vs. readers having to wade through long threads.
References follow...
Thread status warning
Thread Status: Hello awtoner, There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days. Old threads are rarely followed and many of the members who posted to that thread may no longer be active on the forum. As a result, we make it a practice to clear out responses to old threads in order to keep the forum orderly and avoid confusion among the readers. Please start a new thread whenever you have a question or new topic as opposed to posting your question on an existing thread. Plus, posting your question in a new thread is more likely to get responses and gives your question the attention it deserves. Please Click Here To Start Your Own Thread
Forum Rules
8. Do not create multiple threads on the same topic. Creating multiple threads may cause you to miss important information about your question and is confusing for those who are trying to help you. [I realize this is about a single user posting multiple threads at the same time, but some of the logic applies.]
1. Please keep related topics in one post. That way, the entire storyline and related advice is located in one spot which makes it easy for other members to follow and offer further advice. [I think this outweighs other arguments.]
6. Please do not answer posts that haven't had any activity in more than a year (unless you are updating your own topic). Usually the issue has been resolved even if that is not reflected in the thread. If you have a question for the originator of the thread send it by pm instead. [There's a difference between answering an old post and adding to the discussion for the benefit of future readers. I would still argue for sharing the answer with all in the forum instead of just in a PM to the original author.]
This seems to be a common trend in support forums (e.g. Apple) that has developed over the past few years. It bothers me, and I'd like to better understand the thinking.
Pro's for keeping the same thread
- Notifies anyone who's subscribed. I still get notifications on threads for a Honda Odyssey I traded in years ago, and I've actually replied since then. It should be my choice if I want to unsubscribe, ignore my e-mail, etc. By forcing a new thread, it devalues subscriptions.
- Saves readers from having to navigate "Moved from here" links to find the older, referenced thread.
Con's for keeping the same thread
- Threads can become disorderly if they are allowed to go off of the original topic. Maybe this is where I ran afoul, since I was including replacement alternatives in addition to the repair method.
- A new thread with zero or a small number of replies may get more attention than one with a lot of replies. I only see this making sense if moderators, guides, and power users are scanning for new threads. I think there's an equally valid argument that, when searching for threads, those with more replies get more attention. Either by reply or new thread, it shows up at the top of the threads list.
There's some impact on reducing the number of hits when searching threads vs. readers having to wade through long threads.
References follow...
Thread status warning
Thread Status: Hello awtoner, There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days. Old threads are rarely followed and many of the members who posted to that thread may no longer be active on the forum. As a result, we make it a practice to clear out responses to old threads in order to keep the forum orderly and avoid confusion among the readers. Please start a new thread whenever you have a question or new topic as opposed to posting your question on an existing thread. Plus, posting your question in a new thread is more likely to get responses and gives your question the attention it deserves. Please Click Here To Start Your Own Thread
Forum Rules
8. Do not create multiple threads on the same topic. Creating multiple threads may cause you to miss important information about your question and is confusing for those who are trying to help you. [I realize this is about a single user posting multiple threads at the same time, but some of the logic applies.]
1. Please keep related topics in one post. That way, the entire storyline and related advice is located in one spot which makes it easy for other members to follow and offer further advice. [I think this outweighs other arguments.]
6. Please do not answer posts that haven't had any activity in more than a year (unless you are updating your own topic). Usually the issue has been resolved even if that is not reflected in the thread. If you have a question for the originator of the thread send it by pm instead. [There's a difference between answering an old post and adding to the discussion for the benefit of future readers. I would still argue for sharing the answer with all in the forum instead of just in a PM to the original author.]
