# 2 1/2 months is a "Zombie Thread" **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 7, 2008, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-1-2-months-is-a-zombie-thread/455567 "2008-07-07T16:28:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2008, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-1-2-months-is-a-zombie-thread/455567/1 "2008-07-07T16:28:14Z")
As per [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9976668#post9976668). I could see six months, but 2 1/2? Maybe a little old, but hardly back-from-the-dead. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-1-2-months-is-a-zombie-thread/455567/2 "2008-07-07T18:45:58Z")
It’s been reopened. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-1-2-months-is-a-zombie-thread/455567/3 "2008-07-08T11:18:44Z")
Two months is typically the cutoff for zombie threads, but we try to be flexible about it. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-1-2-months-is-a-zombie-thread/455567/4 "2008-07-08T16:22:11Z")
Two months is ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-1-2-months-is-a-zombie-thread/455567/5 "2008-07-08T16:56:12Z")
Now now, **Q.E.D.** , there’s no need to be shy. Seriously though - I’m not sure how much we could change the rule without causing any risk of problems, but what do Dopers think is a fair no-zombie period? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-1-2-months-is-a-zombie-thread/455567/6 "2008-07-08T17:08:24Z")
I had understood that it depended on the forum and on the content of the bumping post. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-1-2-months-is-a-zombie-thread/455567/7 "2008-07-08T18:06:57Z")
[QUOTE=Chronos] I had understood that it depended on the forum and on the content of the bumping post. [/QUOTE] Um, you don’t actually mean that THINKING should be involved, do you?? :eek: :eek: :eek: What will they propose next? Rational thought?? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-1-2-months-is-a-zombie-thread/455567/8 "2008-07-08T18:09:27Z")
About half a year seems reasonable. Within that time period, you’re not going to have too many posters who have subsequently gone AWOL, which as I recall is one of the reasons for the zombie rule in the first place. Four months seems a bit short to me but still reasonable. Two months seems short. Just IMHO, of course Edited to add: Or, what they said. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-1-2-months-is-a-zombie-thread/455567/9 "2008-07-08T20:12:26Z")
It really is a judgment call depending on how fast things move in a particular forum. In some areas 2-1/2 months is not a long time at all; in other places, it’s an eternity. Up to the mod that encounters the thread. I trust their judgment. It can always be appealed, you know, nothing in this is forever and we can be persuaded with rational thought and reasoning. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-1-2-months-is-a-zombie-thread/455567/10 "2008-07-08T21:52:18Z")
Which I think is a good idea **TD**. Different fora, different timeframe. But this raises a question. When a movie (tv-series) is released on DVD, what’s the proper way to do it? Dig up the original thread from the theatrical release or start a new thread? I guess the same could be asked about books and paperback editions. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2008, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-1-2-months-is-a-zombie-thread/455567/11 "2008-07-09T12:12:18Z")
I would think there’s usually enough of a lag between theatrical release or first viewing on TV and appearance on DVD that a new thread would be necessary, though perhaps referencing what has gone before if appropriate. Again, varies, depending on circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Erasmus\_Darwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@Erasmus\_Darwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erasmus_Darwin)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2008, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-1-2-months-is-a-zombie-thread/455567/12 "2008-07-09T12:59:25Z")
[QUOTE=Chronos] I had understood that it depended on the forum and on the content of the bumping post. [/QUOTE] I’d like to being more attention to basing it on content: I think it’s absolutely crucial to include that as one of the primary criteria. In the example thread given, the bumping post would have been awkward even if the thread had only been dormant for a month, much less two and a half. Conversely, I can imagine a few cases where a new post adds enough to the thread that the dormancy period would be moot. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-1-2-months-is-a-zombie-thread/455567/13 "2008-07-10T04:28:30Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] Two months is typically the cutoff for zombie threads, but we try to be flexible about it. [/QUOTE] The “guideline” in [this FAQ post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=7697100#post7697100) by **C K Dexter Haven** says 3 months. > [@](#): > > **What if I want to continue / add to the discussion on a topic that was mentioned in an old thread?** > > Generally, we prefer you start a new thread with a link to the old thread. Often, an old thread includes statements from posters who are no longer members, and so cannot reply. It’s therefore “unfair” to re-open old discussions; such practice is usually called a “zombie thread.” (A general guideline for “old” would be a thread older than three months.) . . . [QUOTE=Chronos] I had understood that it depended on the forum and on the content of the bumping post. [/QUOTE] The above guideline in the FAQs continues. . . > [@](#): > > However, the rules on reviving old threads are different for the different forums. In General Questions, Comments on Cecil’s Columns, Comments on Staff Reports, and Cafe Society, it is acceptable to revive an old thread if you have some substantive comment to add. (Note that “thank you for answering my question” is just plain good manners, and acceptable. However, reviving an old thread just to say “I agree” is considered bad form.) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-1-2-months-is-a-zombie-thread/455567/14 "2008-07-10T11:01:07Z")
[QUOTE=Shayna] The “guideline” in [this FAQ post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=7697100#post7697100) by **C K Dexter Haven** says 3 months. [/QUOTE] As others have said, the rules are different in different fora. But Skip and Cajun Man told me it’s been three months in MPSIMS, and we’ve decided to try extending the guideline to six months.