# Can we reconsider the automatic lock-down of zombie threads? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 3, 2010, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800 "2010-06-03T17:27:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/41 "2010-07-15T18:15:02Z")
**C K Dexter Haven** said: > [@](#): > > Based on this thread, the mods have held considerable behind-the-scenes discussion, and we’ve agreed on new rules On resurrecting old threads. (The stuff that’s new is in blue.) I, also, wish to say thanks. Not that this has been an issue to me, but the new etiquette/policy is reasonable and makes sense. It allows more leeway for continuing old discussions when there isn’t a problem, while still indicating reasons why they might be closed if there is a problem or to preclude a problem. > [@](#): > > - In the other forums, and especially _the Pit_: moderators may choose to leave the thread open or to close it. Frankly, if it’s a long thread and the mod doesn’t want to read all the way through to see if whether there are problems, the mod will probably think it’s better to err on the side of closing. Not another “judgement call” situation. Cue the whines in 3… 2… 1… ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/42 "2010-07-15T23:43:13Z")
Well, our assumption is that most Pit threads (espesh those about other posters) will be closed if zombified. However, we don’t want to require closure. For instance, why bother to close a resurrected thread complaining about (say) New York sales tax? So, yeah, there will be whining, but we’ve got listed the conditions under which we’d close a thread. So, a mod will say, “This thread is a long-dead rant against a poster who was banned three years ago. Closed.” ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/43 "2010-07-15T23:53:33Z")
I daresay I’m impressed. The new policies seem reasonable, and putting them in after considering poster suggestions is pretty cool. See? I’m not always an asshole when I post about mod actions in this forum…😛 ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/44 "2010-07-16T01:34:15Z")
And while the default in GQ may be to leave zombies open, there may be circumstances in which they will be closed there. For example, just last week I had a case in which someone raised a thread from 2004 just to say hi to an acquaintance whose name they had come across by searching on Google. Unfortunately the poster had passed away almost three years ago. I gave them a link to the memorial thread in MPSIMS and closed the one in GQ. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/45 "2010-07-16T01:37:07Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > And while the default in GQ may be to leave zombies open, there may be circumstances in which they will be closed there. For example, just last week I had a case in which someone raised a thread from 2004 just to say hi to an acquaintance whose name they had come across by searching on Google. Unfortunately the poster had passed away almost three years ago. I gave them a link to the memorial thread in MPSIMS and closed the one in GQ. There was another one a few weeks ago where somebody posted a response to Q.E.D., and I linked to the memorial thread/reported. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/46 "2010-07-16T01:46:51Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > There was another one a few weeks ago where somebody posted a response to G.E.D., and I linked to the memorial thread/reported. I assume you mean Q.E.D. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/47 "2010-07-16T01:52:42Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I assume you mean Q.E.D. OH SHIT. Um…I swear that wasn’t intentional. Don’t guess you’d be willing to fix it for me? ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/48 "2010-07-16T01:59:23Z")
And whether it gets fixed or not, I’m sorry. It was an honest error. I would not take a cheapshot at a deceased poster like that. I’m horribly embarrassed. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/49 "2010-07-16T05:08:03Z")
In Comments on Cecil’s Columns, newbies regularly open threads without linking to the original column in question. Mods routinely offer boilerplate when adding the link. The system works pretty well. Friendly boilerplate is good. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/50 "2010-07-16T11:04:40Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > OH SHIT. > > Um…I swear that wasn’t intentional. Don’t guess you’d be willing to fix it for me? No prob. Email me or any mod, with a link, and we’ll be glad to fix it. (Searching on “G.E.D.” and/or “Q.E.D.” will be tedious, and you presumably have some memory of date or topic to help narrow searching?) ---
**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 16, 2010, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/51 "2010-07-16T13:24:37Z")
Dex, he meant right here. And it’s all right, Oakminster – we’re all one keystroke away from disaster, you know, all of us. Please don’t sweat this. Since it’s done to go back and edit it out would make the rest of the thread nonsensical so I’m afraid we need to let this stand. However, it’s an honest oopses and there’s really nothing more that need be said about it. Go in peace. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/52 "2010-07-16T13:30:01Z")
I think the new policy is fine and reflects well on management. There was a zombie thread a few days ago about old or funny business names (I can’t locate it at present) which was locked. While it was of no great interest I think the content showed a lot of how we reacted to each other then- it seemed a little more placid. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/53 "2010-07-16T15:47:26Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Dex, he meant right here. > > And it’s all right, Oakminster – we’re all one keystroke away from disaster, you know, all of us. Please don’t sweat this. > > Since it’s done to go back and edit it out would make the rest of the thread nonsensical so I’m afraid we need to let this stand. However, it’s an honest oopses and there’s really nothing more that need be said about it. Go in peace. Fair enough. Thanks, **Tuba.** ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/54 "2010-07-16T16:37:05Z")
I appreciate the new approach. Oftentimes, even if the the necromancer doesn’t really have anything particularly important to add, the additional discussion that follows is interesting and adds to the thread. Gotta run, got a couple hundred threads I need to resurrect… ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/55 "2010-07-16T20:02:49Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > Based on this thread, the mods have held considerable behind-the-scenes discussion, and we’ve agreed on new rules [On resurrecting old threads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=7697100#post7697100). (The stuff that’s new is in blue.) [Hey, what is my thread, chopped liver? 😛](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=570628) Err, I mean thanks a ton! These new policies make a lot of sense. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/56 "2010-07-16T20:33:13Z")
Sorry, **Autolycus** , I shoulda said “based on several threads”. And I changed the GED to QED before I saw **TubaDiva** ’s comment that it’s too late. So, I’ve messed up the trouser leg of history once again. I shoulda stayed in bed today. Sorry, all. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/57 "2010-07-16T21:39:45Z")
> [@Autolycus](#): > > [Hey, what is my thread, chopped liver? 😛](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=570628) Well then where’s my thanks for going to all that effort of opening a sequel thread for you? ☹ ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/58 "2010-07-17T00:31:01Z")
I’ll be answering this thread in early November 2017… ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/59 "2010-07-17T15:11:57Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > Sorry, **Autolycus** , I shoulda said “based on several threads”. > > And I changed the GED to QED before I saw **TubaDiva** ’s comment that it’s too late. So, I’ve messed up the trouser leg of history once again. > > I shoulda stayed in bed today. Sorry, all. It’s okay. It still makes sense as long as you keep it in yours. Heck, I think we’d still figure it out, if not the exact misspelling. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800/60 "2010-07-17T18:59:00Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > Well then where’s my thanks for going to all that effort of opening a sequel thread for you? ☹ I’ll thank you in a few years 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-reconsider-the-automatic-lock-down-of-zombie-threads/541800.md?page=2)