# How do guests find old threads? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 23, 2008, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-guests-find-old-threads/457545 "2008-07-23T22:00:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Monstera\_deliciosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monstera_deliciosa/32/109_2.png) [@Monstera\_deliciosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstera_deliciosa)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-guests-find-old-threads/457545/1 "2008-07-23T22:00:57Z")
The four recently closed zombie threads in IMHO, all resurrected by the same guest, brought this question to mind, though I have also wondered about it before, since I’ve noticed it happening before. How do guests find these threads? They can’t search. I know sometimes a member will link to an old thread within a new one, and someone inadvertantly posts to the linked thread, but that doesn’t seem to account for all instances of zombification. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-guests-find-old-threads/457545/2 "2008-07-23T22:10:23Z")
You can change the number of threads you are viewing at the bottom of the page. So, a guest can go through old threads page by page. There are message boards which don’t frown on zombies. ---
**Author:** ![Monstera\_deliciosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monstera_deliciosa/32/109_2.png) [@Monstera\_deliciosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstera_deliciosa)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-guests-find-old-threads/457545/3 "2008-07-23T22:37:01Z")
[QUOTE=dalej42] You can change the number of threads you are viewing at the bottom of the page. So, a guest can go through old threads page by page. There are message boards which don’t frown on zombies. [/QUOTE] Thanks. I didn’t realize how far back one could go that way. ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-guests-find-old-threads/457545/4 "2008-07-24T01:19:00Z")
A related question-- what’s so bad about zombie threads? The ones that were resurrected today were sort of a hoot, gathered some interesting new posts from new members and/or people who didn’t notice them the first time around, etc, before being decapitated. And I like being reminded of ancient posters. What’s the harm? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-guests-find-old-threads/457545/5 "2008-07-24T01:29:51Z")
I’m not sure about the answer to the OP either, if there is one beyond what **dalej42** offered. As far as the zombie issue goes - yes, it’s a hoot to see old threads, but I’d say it’s better to let new threads gather replies than to bump old ones where half the original participants have gone. Kinda craps up the discussion. Quoting **Dex** in the etiquette section: > [@](#): > > 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.) 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.)