# Locked Threads **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 19, 2001, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-threads/50873 "2001-01-19T15:25:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![IzzyR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/2acd7d/32.png) [@IzzyR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IzzyR)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-threads/50873/1 "2001-01-19T15:25:09Z")
When a moderator or administrator locks a thread, does this mean that the discussion has been declared to be off-limits, (and that someone who immediately opens another thread continuing the same topic will not be looked upon kindly)? If not, than there would seem to be no purpose in closing the original thread. But if so it would seem to be out of keeping with the character of the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-threads/50873/2 "2001-01-19T16:45:02Z")
Sometimes, in GQ, several people start threads on the same topic. When this happens, **manhattan** will close the shortest threads. Before he does so, he often posts a link to the live thread. When any thread gets too long, it has to be closed, or it causes server problems. When a dead horse has been beaten too long, or when the discussion has degenerated into nothing but pouring salt on each others’ wounds, the thread will be closed. Sometiems when a thread is posted in the wrong place, it’ll be closed rather than moved. It’s usually fairly easy to tell what’s happened by looking at the last post(s) in the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-threads/50873/3 "2001-01-19T17:13:42Z")
Out of curiousity, why was [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=56256) thread closed? Rehashed info? Change in policy concerning Napster/CD burner discussion? Accident? ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-threads/50873/4 "2001-01-19T17:24:18Z")
Copyright law, I’d guess. As this site is owned by the Chicago REader, moderators have to be really careful when people start discussing how to do things that are not quite legal. People could say that the Chicago Reader was distributing such information via its web site. Sometiems these discussions don’t get noticed, but when they do, they get closed. I recall that a discussion on car immobilisers/alarms/some such thing was closed or deleted recently. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-threads/50873/5 "2001-01-19T17:26:18Z")
When a moderator or administrator locks a thread, they’ll typically place a note in it giving the reason for locking it. If there’s no note, it’s probably obvious why it was locked. Several obvious reasons for closure could be: Spam, flamewars, promotion of illegal activities, threats of violence. ---
**Author:** ![IzzyR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/2acd7d/32.png) [@IzzyR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IzzyR)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-threads/50873/6 "2001-01-19T17:40:18Z")
I know _why_ moderators sometimes close threads. My question is about what comes next. FTR my question was inspired by (but not specifically concerning) [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=56215) thread. ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-threads/50873/7 "2001-01-19T18:05:57Z")
I’ve re-read the thread and still fail to see why it was locked- unless Napster use + CD burning is now a verboten topic. This isn’t a big hangup- just would like to know so topics on this subject don’t get posted and immediately closed. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-threads/50873/8 "2001-01-19T23:01:49Z")
Well, here’s the first part of the OP: > [@](#): > > I often burn compilation CDs for myself and for friends. When friends want me to burn them a disc, they send me their MP3 files (usually collected from Napster), and I convert the files to WAV and burn them into an audio CD. And here’s the first part of the OP after being processed by the Moderometer 2000 English to Betweenthelinese translation module: > [@](#): > > I am a frequent repeat thief of the intellectual property of studios and bands. Not the best way to start a thread in GQ if one wants it to stay open. I am open to the possibility that the moderometer failed, but it sure looked like a good reading to me.