I’ve heard that bumping very old threads causes slowdowns/excessive resource use.
Why is this? I’m very computer literate, but I admit I don’t know much about databases. What’s the technical difference between an old and new thread?
I was not aware that there was a technical reason. I always thought it was because it’s annoying to reply to a new thread, only to find out it’s an old thread that got bumped by a new person and the OP isn’t even around anymore. I would be interested to know if there was a technical reason as well.
I just answered the same question two days ago.
(Sorry, that sounds annoyed, and I’m not; and the thread subject title “Old thread suggestion” doesn’t make it obvious that that subject got covered within)
AHunter did a good job of explaining the “board philosophical” reasons, so I’ll just add that there is no technical limitation or performance problem involved in bumping new threads. It’s purely a decision of the form, not the function, side of the Board.
If anything, bumping a new thread makes things slightly better than creating a new one, since the thread table doesn’t have to grow as well. But remember, in general the SDMB Staff have said in the past they prefer people not bump threads, so don’t take what I say right here as any encouragement to bump threads rather than make new ones.
Thanks!