Less typing?
Really, “whoosh” is better than “you ignorant clod.”
Often it is to cover a error. They really werent making a sly reference or a joke, but they think by saying “whoosh” to whoever pointed out their boo-boo they will cover it up.
but, who really cares?
Apparently, all of you who keep repeating “This topic is dead!” and “Who cares?”
It’s not a tangent. Whether or not a poll is a good idea needs to be decided before you make a poll. You jumped the gun a bit.
Anyways, assuming a poll is a good idea, I do think it’s important to distinguish between people who just find the practice annoying, those who actually think the jokes scare people away, and people who find the whole zombie aspect to be stupid. On the positive side, I think there’s a difference between people who find harmless, those who actually enjoy it, or those who think (like I do) that in-jokes are actually a good thing, fostering community and making it easy to join–just repeat the joke. Then there are the people in the middle who might want people to actually make the jokes funny, or even make a specific outline to the post. And, of course, you’ll always have the people who think zombie threads should just be closed.
Those are a lot of options, so I suggest that a poll like that allow multiple answers. And, yes, they won’t be determinative of what we want. The main thread would be about finding answers that make the most people happy.
If you were looking for meaningful data, you only need three options:
- I love zombie jokes
- I hate zombie jokes
- I don’t care about the zombie jokes
Anything else, anything more will just change the debate from “do people like zombie jokes” to “do people who voted for “I don’t mind zombie jokes but I think they are overused and turn off new users”” want zombie jokes to continue or not…
Note that if you’re not looking for an answer and just want to probe the twisted psyches of The Teaming Millions, disregard the above.
I’d like to just see a reference to “This thread is ten years old” and nothing more, but that is up to the Administrators.
Nothing against your poll, but if nothing happens due to the results what is the point?
I must be a rare bird because I actually like Zombie jokes. Even the not so clever ones. It’s nice to know that a thread you are posting to is old. Maybe you already posted in it oh so many years ago. I don’t really see the harm, but if there is some data saying they scare away new posters, then the best thing to do would be have a rule against them, loath that I am to recommend any new rules.
I will make a Zombie joke once in awhile, but I usually try to to make it deliberately humorous by tying it in some way to the thread topic or the Necromancer’s post. I can’t recall ever seeing a post from someone that said nothing more than BRAAAAAAINS!!! but maybe I missed them.
My vote would be (not actually one of the choices):
- Zombie jokes are OK, but do try to be clever and friendly when making them. We don’t want to scare away the youngsters.
Add something “to” your poll about using quotation “marks” around words that don’t require them.
“Let’s make a poll” is destine to become a dope meme for “dumb idea.”
Or you could start your own poll. In your spare time, of course. 
FYI, I believe your issue may have been addressed by a mod in post #38.
[LukeSkywalkerintherealfirstStarWarsmovie] “I care.” [/LSitrfSWm]
AFAIK, someone is attempting to clarify an issue.
Some people prefer thread shitting.
The results of the poll is not yet known. The “point” of having a poll is to find out how members feel about an issue. After the poll results are in, people will have a better understanding of the issue.
As to the results of the poll, we will probably find that some will be for, some will be against, some might not see the poll or not find the subject matter interesting enough to respond to the poll. But the bottom line is that someone is trying to do something useful/helpful/thoughtful, and those people deserve support.
No snark intended here but I really do wonder what goes on psychologically that drives some to post so vociferously about how stupid they think it is to ask what posters think about a subject they themselves allegedly do not care about, in a thread that was easy for them to just not open.
As to the poll … it depends on what you really want to find out, eh?
Like or hate or don’t care? I don’t think that is the question of interest and many of us like some few, hate some others, and also don’t care very much. Not all zombie jokes are created equal. Some only serve as a way for a poster to signify an “in-group” status, have no wit, no point, and are off-putting to a potential new community member; some are clever, informative, and even welcoming. Some make the dead worth having been re-animated.
Is the interest in determining if there is anything approaching a consensus about what board etiquette should encourage or discourage?
Then Big T’s approach makes more sense.
Three zombies walk into a Christian bar. A blonde, a brunette and a redheaded Russian poker player.
You’re all waiting for a zombie joke, right?
No, no it’s not. But if that makes you feel better to tell yourself so, go for it.
And that the punchline has something to do with “born again” and “even God doesn’t draw for an inside straight” … but we’ll wait.
It’s a great way to cover a stupid remark. I have seen it several times.