Rule about posting in "old" posts clarification... possibly a conflict in the rules.

[Mikey G.]

Rule about posting in "old" posts clarification... possibly a conflict in the rules.

I am having problems understanding the proper way to handle adding information to, or bringing up an "older" post that may have not been resolved. Some people recently tried to continue a post that was a little less that a year old with the intention to find a resolution about the same issue (not a new question) and got slapped by the moderator.

Here is the post: http://forums.iboats.com/forum/owne...on-boats/551304-larson-cabrio-330-head-intake

I do not see how it is a bad thing to bring up an older post like this vs. starting a new post about the same topic. Bringing up an older post will prevent the same information from being shared again, and not moving towards a resolution as quickly (ie.. starting from where everyone else left off saves time). This also keeps all relevant information in one place/post so it is easier to find in the future for another member having problems.

I also think the forum rules related to this conflict each other (see below):

11. Please do not post multiple threads in multiple forums about a single problem. This is confusing to those trying to help you. Multiple threads in the same forum about the same issue are also confusing. If you want help fast, one thread in the most closely related forum is the best way to get it.

12. Please do not post to threads that have been inactive for more than 3 months UN-LESS you are the original poster. We have very active forums and any thread that remains inactive for that long should be considered "dead". It is especially confusing when there is an entirely new question posted to an old thread. This is considered a hijack. Please start a new thread of your own.

Please clarify as I am not the only person that is confused and frustrated. I now am getting private messages asking me about my post that isn't there. I am not trying to be a pain, but I have dealt with self-righteous moderation in the past. To delete a post, flame the people, and then Edit the post to remove the flaming to just say "Since you both question the rules, it's an easy fix, This topic is closed." does not make a good first impression on a new forum member such as myself.

I am not a troll, I just want to understand. Please do not ban me from this forum as there is much good information here that could help me, and I hope that I can provide additional information to help others in the future.

Thanks,

-=Mikey G.

 

[tpenfield]

You probably have overlooked this rule . . .

9. If you have questions, concerns, suggestions or complaints about the rules, moderation, or management of this site please contact a moderator via PM or iboats management for discussion. It is forbidden to debate these rules or their enforcement in the forum.

 

[Bondo]

I do not see how it is a bad thing to bring up an older post like this vs.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... If you are the Original Poster, you can post in Yer thread, Anytime,.....

If yer Not the Original Poster,....
The reason it's Bad to post in somebody else's old thread is,...
Yer new boat/ new question is way down the thread, 'n it gets Lost in the confusion,....

 

[Scott Danforth]

Mikey,

welcome aboard

if you look at the rules and understand them, they do not conflict.

the multiple threads are when an individual posts the same topic in all the sub forums. For example, posting the same question about an outboard motor in the general forum, the merc forum and a few others. Many impatient new posters have a tendency to do this thinking it gets their question answered faster. so now instead of a single topic thread, there are 3 or 4 or more. that is why rule #11 exists, and generally the mods will merge the threads.

threads older than 90 days should be considered dead and should only be revived by the OP (Original Poster). now if you have a similar question for your particular set of circumstances , feel free to start a new thread and add a hyper link the thread you are referencing if you like. however usually the OP has resolved the issue and moved on. This is why rule #12 exists.

remember, without rules, there is only anarchy and chaos.

 

[bruceb58]

Rule 11 is for the same member posting the exact same issue in different forums.

What it avoids is seeing an old topic pop up, reading through all the posts to the thread and then realizing after 15 minutes of reading, it's an old thread that someone just hijacked.

EDIT: Scott beat me to it.

 

[Mikey G.]

OK.. sorry for the post here. I understand to just hyperlink to the older post, that works. Again, I don't want to make a bad first impression either.

Rule #9 states:
If you have problems, questions, feedback or suggestions about the forums or the iboats website, please post your comments HERE

I just clicked the "HERE" because I am not trying to debate the rules, just looking for clarification. Again apologies.

First impressions are everything... please don't have a negative one of me. I understand the rules now, I think the moderator just has to deal with a bunch of morons a times (maybe I am one?) and was probably a little "short" with us because of that. I will try to change my first impression of him/her as time goes on.

Thanks again!

-=Mikey G.

 

[GA_Boater]

The topic you reference is a two year old post by a member who made one post and never returned. I closed the topic, so the information is available to anyone searching for getting water to flush a toilet in a Larson Cabrio 330.

After the first three replies with information for the original poster, it sat for 17 months before an off topic question was asked. This started an in topic, off topic thread. It was resolved and the thread sat for another 9 months until a member answered a question that was 28 months old. The 28 month old question was by a member who hasn't been here since this past January. In both cases, the question by the OP and the 28 month old question, the questioners never replied in any way, shape or form.

Then in July, a new member posted a reply that answered nothing, more a validation of a previous post on the original question. This member was told to stop posting in old topics. The next day another post was made. I posted a warning about replying to old topics. Then you posted asking about rules. I deleted your reply because I was getting tired of explaining.

The next thing you know-

Why do you keep harrasing us with over moderation ? You are killing this seldom used section of the forum. It is still an unresolved topic and personally I am still interested in more replies as they come. Do you really want people to start a new thread to continue the same topic ?

This is rediculous... I have participated in many forums for close to 15 years and it's never a problem on those forums to post to an older thread if you have something to contribute. What's the harm? Please explain your unusual rules.

That resulted in closing the topic.

Since you both question the rules, it's an easy fix, This topic is closed.

Here is the answer, please read - http://forums.iboats.com/forum/forum...34-forum-rules

The topic closed, it will remain closed. I could have deleted it, but then whatever information about flushing the head in a Larson Cabrio 220 would be lost forever. I chose not to do that.

So now you know why we don't like old topics to be awakened. It happens every day and either other members or a Moderator will reply with a reminder about posting in what we like to call the Archives. When members complain about harasing (sp) or being rediculous (sp) the topic is closed.

All we ask of members is follow a few simple rules that were established to make things easier on fellow members. We don't kick members out on a whim, there has to be consensus among the Mods so if one of us gets up on the wrong side of the bed, the others calm things down.

So don't worry about getting the boot. In fact :welcome: to iboats, Mikey. Ask as many questions as you want and contribute where you can. Please just abide by the rules. :smile:

 

[bassman284]

Welcome aboard, Mikey. Glad to have ya here. Hey, it gets easier.

Like Scott said, if your search turns up an old thread that is pertinent to your situation, start a new thread (with descriptive title), link the old thread and give a few words why it fits your problem. That way folks who want to help you out can click on the old thread to see what happened there and then come back to deal with your immediate problem. Otherwise folks who don't always check dates (like me) will think they are responding to the OP who very well may have been gone for a few years.

I've been on this board for a little over 12 years and several times been sucked in to responding to old threads. I have even revived a few myself (got yelled at). It won't get you banned, just spanked a little bit. At this point I really do understand the rule because it actually can cause confusion. So follow the Scott Danforth rule and all will be well.

 

[Mikey G.]

OK, thanks for being understanding everyone. Again I apologize... I hate that this is how I started myself off here. I will definitely do better in the future, I promise.

Thanks for the welcome! Oh, and please close this post so I can stop apologizing... lol

-=Mike G.

 

[GA_Boater]

Hey Mikey - There is a pile of spuds in the galley with your name on them. Get peeling! :lol:

This is closed!