Please stop closing old threads just because they are old - "This thread was quite old before the recent post, so we're locking it to prevent confusion. "

[Imba Steckdose]

I'm seeing a lot of threads being closed with the message mentioned in the title. Some old issues, questions, feature suggestions, but most of the time there were legitimate questions after several months, even years, that got shut down for no real reason.

It seems that these actions are taken (semi-)automatically, with no regards to the actual topic or circumstances. Prominent example: The first Google result for this message was closed for that exact reason: https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/3758850346173394562/

[William Shakesman]

Valve prefers if you simply make a new thread. Even if the entire first page is just threads about the topic you raise, Valve is still perfectly fine with you making another thread like that.

There is never a need to search for old threads. If you want current answers, make a new current thread. Valve wants you to.

[eram]

even when the top of the forum says search they mean search but dont even think about posting.

Searching is key! Before you post a question, use the forum search feature to determine whether your topic has already been covered.

its been covered, better make a new thread then. makes sense.

[William Shakesman]

Originally posted by eram:

even when the top of the forum says search they mean search but dont even think about posting.

Searching is key! Before you post a question, use the forum search feature to determine whether your topic has already been covered.

its been covered, better make a new thread then. makes sense.

I'd be totally lying if I said everything Valve says or does makes perfect sense. I only describe what they actually intend.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by William Shakesman:

Valve prefers if you simply make a new thread. Even if the entire first page is just threads about the topic you raise, Valve is still perfectly fine with you making another thread like that.

There is never a need to search for old threads. If you want current answers, make a new current thread. Valve wants you to.

False, Valve even tells you to search first to see if your question is already answered. You should only be making a new thread if its not answered and there isn't a recent thread to already post in.

Originally posted by Imba Steckdose:

I
It seems that these actions are taken (semi-)automatically, with no regards to the actual topic or circumstances. Prominent example: The first Google result for this message was closed for that exact reason: https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/3758850346173394562/

The main reason is old threads can contain outdated information, so rather then bumping old threads they prefer you make a new one. They aren't going to go thru every bumped thread to try to determine what might or might not be still accurate.

For instance i've seen people bump threads that were years old and it caused mass confusion because the thread had stuff in it that was changed in game years ago.

[Psymon²]

valve effectively WANT the forums to not exist

if you make a thread that matches an existing one, ban.

if you reply to an old thread, ban.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by Psymon²:

valve effectively WANT the forums to not exist

if you make a thread that matches an existing one, ban.

if you reply to an old thread, ban.

That is completely false, the most they do is lock the thread, they do not ban for it. Please do not spread false rumors if you don't know how things work Psymon²

[C²C^Guyver |NZB|]

Oh look, an example....

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/9/6269546530798894012/

[Long Niar™]

Originally posted by Imba Steckdose:

I'm seeing a lot of threads being closed with the message mentioned in the title. Some old issues, questions, feature suggestions, but most of the time there were legitimate questions after several months, even years, that got shut down for no real reason.

It seems that these actions are taken (semi-)automatically, with no regards to the actual topic or circumstances. Prominent example: The first Google result for this message was closed for that exact reason: https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/3758850346173394562/

It's how they appear to stifle honest discourse.

[mldb88]

Originally posted by Niar™:

Originally posted by Imba Steckdose:

I'm seeing a lot of threads being closed with the message mentioned in the title. Some old issues, questions, feature suggestions, but most of the time there were legitimate questions after several months, even years, that got shut down for no real reason.

It seems that these actions are taken (semi-)automatically, with no regards to the actual topic or circumstances. Prominent example: The first Google result for this message was closed for that exact reason: https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/3758850346173394562/

It's how they appear to stifle honest discourse.

You have a pretty warped definition of "honest discourse" then, as most locked threads are either due to being bumped or getting derailed by the usual suspects who have to rely on shifting goalposts and blaming "undercover moderation" for their own bad behavior rather than being able to actually have an honest discussion.

[BJWyler]

Thread necroing has always been bad forum etiquette. Many forums autolock threads after a period of inactivity, which is my preference. However, those that don't, usually take it on a case by case basis, and in the case of Steam, they have made it quite clear that necroing is in bad form and lock threads because of it, and rightly so.

Searching is key. However, posting is not actually a requirement. That's what seems to trip people up, mostly because they have this narcissistic itch they feel they need to scratch, believing what they have to say is of the utmost importance, when it really isn't necessary.

Anyway, I guess it's time to break out the ole guide again:

A current and active thread is one that is continuing to receive replies with the last reply no more than a few days old. It's OK to post here!

A current, but inactive thread is one that received replies within the last couple of weeks, but NOT longer than one month. It's still OK to post here!

A current, but dead thread is one that hasn't received a reply in one to three months. It may be OK to post here, if there is actual relevant information relating directly to the topic. Relevant DOES NOT include things like the following: +1, I agree, It happened to me too, or 3 months and still not implemented, etc.

An old, dead thread is one that has not received a reply in over three months. It is never OK, nor necessary to resurrect this thread, no matter how self important you think your information is. Simply create a new thread.

You are welcome.

Sincerely,
The courteous and thoughtful Internet Using Community.

[William Shakesman]

Originally posted by BJWyler:

Thread necroing has always been bad forum etiquette. Many forums autolock threads after a period of inactivity, which is my preference. However, those that don't, usually take it on a case by case basis, and in the case of Steam, they have made it quite clear that necroing is in bad form and lock threads because of it, and rightly so.

Searching is key. However, posting is not actually a requirement. That's what seems to trip people up, mostly because they have this narcissistic itch they feel they need to scratch, believing what they have to say is of the utmost importance, when it really isn't necessary.

Anyway, I guess it's time to break out the ole guide again:

A current and active thread is one that is continuing to receive replies with the last reply no more than a few days old. It's OK to post here!

A current, but inactive thread is one that received replies within the last couple of weeks, but NOT longer than one month. It's still OK to post here!

A current, but dead thread is one that hasn't received a reply in one to three months. It may be OK to post here, if there is actual relevant information relating directly to the topic. Relevant DOES NOT include things like the following: +1, I agree, It happened to me too, or 3 months and still not implemented, etc.

An old, dead thread is one that has not received a reply in over three months. It is never OK, nor necessary to resurrect this thread, no matter how self important you think your information is. Simply create a new thread.

You are welcome.

Sincerely,
The courteous and thoughtful Internet Using Community.

Precisely this. As has been said many times, simply make a new thread. There is never a need to search old threads here. Especially on suggestions as they never have any useful answers. Always make a new thread. Never necro. Valve prefers it that way.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by William Shakesman:

There is never a need to search old threads here.

False, you should always check first to see if your suggestion/idea has already been proposed. If it has and you have nothing new to add to the idea then its pointless to post it which is what Valve even tells you.

You should really familiarize yourself with the rules and the stuff Valve advises you to do before giving people bad advice that can get them in trouble.