There are many threads that go on for pages and pages. Is there a way to set a limit for the number of posts in one thread? Most of the time, if a thread has gone on to, say, four pages, the OP has been hijacked at least once - maybe people are fighting, maybe they’re discussing something else. If you cut off a thread at three pages, then people can just open up a new thread if they really want to continue the discussion. In essence, there isn’t much that could be said on page 4 that hadn’t been said on pages 1, 2, or 3. Just my HO.
Also, if a thread was closed after 3 pages, then it won’t be bumped - and people won’t keep reopening it to see what new has been posted, thus preventing a long thread from being retrieved from the server each time.
i have seen many 4 page posts that have significant content on the 4th page… breaking it up into 3 page threads will just make it difficult for someone who joins in when the thread is already into 4 pages…
also, a long thread is not retreived each time - provided people looking for updates click on the last page link directly, in which case it loads a page with a max. of 50 (i think) posts, the same as a full page 1 of posts. so that’s an incorrect assumption as well.
however, i appreciate your intent, and agree with you that we need to do things to improve peak time speeds of the board…
the board is kinda like sex… the only sure way is to abstain…
Part of the fascination of message boards in general, and the SDMB in particular, I think, is the way that threads seem to take on a life of their own. In that respect, it’s the multi-page threads that are the most fascinating, IMO.
I don’t think it makes any difference to the server whether it’s being asked to load two 3-page threads or one 6-page thread, although I could be mistaken, not being a tech person.
Never said there wouldn’t be. Threads can still be quite viable after a few pages. But if they’re still viable, then they’d still be viable in a brand-new thread.
Appreciate your thoughts too, just wondering what the techies have to say.
**
[/QUOTE]