# Rule for zombie ressurection **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 24, 2012, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129 "2012-06-24T05:39:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/21 "2012-06-24T13:52:47Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > I don’t see how your proposed solution would be relevant to this particular situation – you have 100 posts. Ah. I just found the thread in question, which was, in fact, bumped by a newbie. Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/22 "2012-06-24T15:23:11Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > We DESPERATELY need a policy for zombies! Nope. Disagree. I’ve had several ancient threads that were resurrected by people who came across them who had actual knowledge of what I had written, and registered just to supply it without sticking around. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/23 "2012-06-24T18:17:25Z")
I like the new zombie policy. There are thousands of interesting threads I missed the first time around. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/24 "2012-06-24T18:58:52Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > It used to be that all zombies were closed immediately. The general consensus of users was they did NOT want that policy and would prefer that the zombie thread stay open, except under specific circumstances. The mods changed the policy to what we see here based on user wishes. > > I don’t know if that helps or not, but the complaints about leaving zombie threads alone and open were equally loud and passionate. That IS a helpful response! Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/25 "2012-06-24T19:00:30Z")
Better solution, with a question-Is there a way in the software to make time-stamps more visible/conspicuous? ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/26 "2012-06-24T19:00:54Z")
I need a rule for MEEEEE! No you don’t. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/27 "2012-06-24T19:02:39Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Better solution, with a question-Is there a way in the software to make time-stamps more visible/conspicuous? Not with the standard software so far as I know. I suggest a sticky note reminder on your computer monitor. ---
**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:** [June 24, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/28 "2012-06-24T19:20:36Z")
The policy is “don’t raise a zombie unless you have something new and substantive to add”. Which really does happen: We get threads that sit dormant and unanswered for years, and then some new poster comes in with a single post that provides a definitive answer. Which is a good thing, and should be encouraged. Now, with that, we also do get the occasional “me too” after half a decade, and those are mildly annoying. But they’re an acceptable price to pay for the real contributions. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/29 "2012-06-24T19:30:13Z")
Okay, Uncle! I see I’m a small minority. :o ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/30 "2012-06-24T19:40:58Z")
We desperately need a policy for threads about policies for zombie threads. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/31 "2012-06-24T19:45:37Z")
the thread was unzombied (double unzombied just to make sure, no wait that double kill for zombies, doh) by a new poster with a relevant question and got relevant answers from the OP. seems all is fine in dopeland. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/32 "2012-06-24T23:53:45Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Better solution, with a question-Is there a way in the software to make time-stamps more visible/conspicuous? No. I wonder if there is a modification for your brain, that would either draw your eyes to dates on a screen, or not go berserk over seeing old dates on a screen. O, and a third possible modification, to make you completely blind to dates on a screen. If you didn’t notice who old _any_ posts are, you would probably be much happier here. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/33 "2012-06-25T00:24:15Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > We DESPERATELY need a policy for zombies! I just posted in a “ask the dermatologist” thread, only to notice it was 5 years old! :rolleyes: Honest question: Why is that a problem? Are you somehow embarrassed that you were “tricked” into replying to a post who’s start date you didn’t notice was long past its expiration date? If you feel people are standing around pointing fingers and laughing at you, I’d suggest that worrying about posting in zombie threads shouldn’t be your top concern. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/34 "2012-06-25T05:02:46Z")
Zombie threads are what sometimes draw people here down the rabbit hole (from another source.) One of the best threads I’ve read was a zombie thread. I even printed it off. If you have something pertinent to say it doesn’t matter if the subject is “old.” Don’t you know that the Internet enables you to talk to the dead? ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/35 "2012-06-25T05:36:09Z")
I propose this rule: If someone’s first post is to resurrect a thread more than 1 year old, we change their title from Guest to Necromancer. ---
**Author:** ![srzss05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@srzss05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srzss05)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/36 "2012-06-25T11:19:53Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Ah. I just found the thread in question, which was, in fact, bumped by a newbie. Nevermind. I thought you were being clever, and were referring to this thread since the subject comes up every month. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/37 "2012-06-25T13:02:35Z")
Clever? Me? Nah. ---
**Author:** ![Ponderoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponderoid/32/19221_2.png) [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/38 "2012-06-26T11:22:35Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Not with the standard software so far as I know. > > I suggest a sticky note reminder on your computer monitor. I make extensive use of [Internote add-on for Firefox](http://internote.sourceforge.net/). There are probably similar add-ons for other browsers. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/39 "2012-06-26T15:33:16Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Clever? Me? Nah. And cute too! Especially in those boots. 😉 ---
**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:** [June 27, 2012, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129/40 "2012-06-27T11:46:49Z")
The current Rule (well, Guideline): [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=7697100#post7697100](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=7697100#post7697100) Basically, we do NOT want to discourage zombie threads in the informational forums (Comments on Cecil’s Columns, General Questions, etc). As **Chronos** mentions above, if there’s new information, we’d like it to be there. In the other forums, it’s really up to mods on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes, a discussion is interesting enough to re-open, even several years later. So, whenever resurrected threads are discussed, we conclude that the inconveniences of individuals occasionally not noticing the date/time on an old thread is less of a nuisance than the major discomforts of outlawing zombies. Sometimes, of course, the resurrection is just picking at an old scab and has no raisins d’etre. 🙂 And we consider that resurrecting an old thread just to add a meaningless comment (like “I agree”) is poor manners, but not what you’d call an actionable rules violation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-for-zombie-ressurection/626129.md?page=1)