can we keep it in the past 12 months

[cher062]

Wow there seem to be some draging up post older than 12 months old. some are 3 - 4 years old.

Just for my sanity could we look at the date of the orignal post and not respond to things more than a year old? Please???

If you need to rediscuss an old topic then start a new thread with your current issue - Please??

 

[coachmolly]

I second that. I've been getting very confused.

 

[Tumblequeensmom]

I THIRD it!!!

 

[cathiann]

All in favor? Any nays? I vote YES

 

[bogwoppit]

If it keeps happening I will just start banning!

Seriously if the thread is old, leave it alone. Start a new one, feel free to link to the old one for reference. But these days this place is like a history lesson!

The search engne is awesome, use it to help you see what we have discussed before, but then leave it ALONE!!!!

 

[gymgurl]

Definitely agree, Maybe we can lock threads over a year old, I know one of the harry potter forums i am part of does that so mods? everyone else? what do you think?

 

[bogwoppit]

We really shouldn't have to, everyone is capable of reading a date!

 

[bribri514]

i really think it's because of the new similar threads box. i don't think i've pulled up any old threads myself but see why someone might, they see an interesting title under a new thread, click on it and want to add. they might not think of the topic on their own or feel uncomfortable making a new one. and i also think (i know i've done it!) some of us older members sometimes tell new members go look at old threads, on topics like snacks, training hours, etc. so some newer members might feel like they're supposed to go to old threads, without understanding it's just because there's a few topics we see a million times! maybe a new stick explaining the inns and outs of using search for some topics, good ideas of ways to post topics, how to appropriate use the similar (and older lol) topics box, etc. it seems like common sense, and i agree with everyone, but it might make everything less intimidating to newer members (i'm currently the new girl at school who is prob doing everything wrong but not wanting to look even more stupid by saying anything!) and that way everyone is happy! i can type on up if you want bog!

 

[bogwoppit]

Go for it Bri, you type it up and we'll get JBS to add it to "things you need to know before posting".

 

[bribri514]

I totally understand what everyone means (sometimes I feel like slamming my face on my keyboard if I see another TOPs thread!) But like I said I am being sensitive to feeling like the new person right now, so I understand sometimes why people might do it. (But still othertimes it's like really????)

So here it is, let me know if it's ok!

Information on Searching for and using Older Threads

The CB has been around for years and is full of wonderful information! We can almost guarantee if you have a question or concern, another parent, gymnast or coach on this site has gone through the same or similar situation. So when you want to make a post about a topic, check it out on our search bar. You’ll most likely find the answer to your question right away, or at least some very helpful information. This will also help prevent from numerous double posts, which will keep the site less cluttered and even more enjoyable for all its members! Examples of these topics would be good snacks for practice, grip recommendations, anything remotely related to TOPs, etc.

That said, it’s not always necessary to pull up older threads. In some cases, we would prefer you refrain from doing this at all. The CB has a very cool feature that lists threads with similar topics below the thread you’re viewing. The purpose of this is to allow you to find answers and additional information that may be missing from the thread you’re viewing. Most of these threads are very old, at least two or three years old. Please do not drag these back up by posting a new reply to them. The original questions or topics are often outdated or have been over discussed. Many are parents or gymnasts who had a very specific issue and were looking for advice years ago, they are very unlikely to need someone to chime in now, for example, their pre-team gymnast struggling with the splits may be an ice hockey player now and the poster is no longer active. Also bringing up these ancient posts clutters the forums and pushes new, relevant threads out of the way. Once again, PLEASE DO NOT PUT NEW POSTS ON OUTDATED/OLD THREADS. If the topic is still relevant or you find it interesting, please create a new, updated post.

Above all use common sense with old and new topics. We want to keep a good balance and have uncluttered forums with fresh and relevant information with as little repetition as possible. Abuse of this concept can and will lead to warning and possible bans. Though please don’t hesitate to ask any one of our moderators if you have questions!

 

[bogwoppit]

Perfect Bri. Post it in the mod forum in the back office, ooh now they all know eh!!! put a title on it that will draw JBS's attention to it to it. Then we can deal with it there.

 

[nevertooold]

I had no idea pulling up old threads was frowned upon.

I figure like most things in life, if that topic doesn't interest you (or a revisit doesn't interest you) just don't open it.

I have personally been offput this summer by the frequency with which new comers posts are met with a very quick reaction to just search the old threads. More than once there has been the undercurrent that asking frequently asked questions is a nuisance and wastes everyone else's time. I don't agree with that, but to each their own. If "we" want newcomers to search the old threads, but also don't want them to comment on them... Then essentially the message is we have no time or need for newcomers to come out of lurkdom.

Just keep on lurking and searching and don't bother anyone with your silly questions.

Smells like an old boy network.

 

[bribri514]

I had no idea pulling up old threads was frowned upon.

I figure like most things in life, if that topic doesn't interest you (or a revisit doesn't interest you) just don't open it.

I have personally been offput this summer by the frequency with which new comers posts are met with a very quick reaction to just search the old threads. More than once there has been the undercurrent that asking frequently asked questions is a nuisance and wastes everyone else's time. I don't agree with that, but to each their own. If "we" want newcomers to search the old threads, but also don't want them to comment on them... Then essentially the message is we have no time or need for newcomers to come out of lurkdom.

Just keep on lurking and searching and don't bother anyone with your silly questions.

Smells like an old boy network.

I definitely understand where you're coming from nevertooold, I don't agree with it, but can completely see why you'd think that. It's why I don't think the harshness is exactly necessary all the time. I think it's just really hard having such a large group on this site. On one hand you have people who've been here for a long time, and have seen the same posts over and over again. On the other hand, there's a lot of new people who don't know quite how the forum works who have these questions and have every right to have them addressed. So ideally there's a middle ground where a lot of the repetition is eliminated, and where newcomers and can continue to come to the site AND feel welcomed! I don't agree with the snappiness people get sometimes about issues, no one is any better or worse based on when they joined the CB lol!

About logistics, for example though, a topic that gets brought up a lot is TOPs. And generally most people have the same questions about it. It's a popular topic because it's nation wide, a lot of gyms put some mystery around it and associate it with elite gymnastics and the girls who participate are younger and therefore their parents generally don't know as much about gymnastics. So they come here and ask those questions. I think everyone wants to help answer them, but if the forum gets overwhelmed by the same questions over and over, it just becomes a sort of 'FAQ about compulsory gymnastics' if that makes sense. Those posters, just through history on this site, have a tendency to leave quickly too because of burnout, so catering only to that doesn't make for a stable site. It's in everyone's benefit that the forum eliminates some of that, along with some of the old irrelevant posts that come up all the time. That's because they knock out new and fresh posts that really could use discussion on that would benefit everyone. I hope this makes sense because it's what I meant when I typed up the thing for the 'before posting' section. Comments like yours are important though too because they add to that over all intelligent discussion and ways we can reapproach what we do and how we interact.

I've said it before too but because we're online it's hard to tell tone sometimes! So when people are being sarcastic or serious or whatever it's hard to tell so I think some comments come off as more judgemental than they're intended. I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt myself, but I always need to remind myself about my own comments and how they can be taken! There will be some drama of course... it is gymnastics! But hopefully we can avoid most of that so we can continue to have fun and education and sometimes even soulful and moving conversations about the one thing that brings us all together... GYMNASTICS

 

[jcs]

I believe there are two separate issues going on here.

People shouldn't be responding to someone who posted "what should I do about switching gyms" (or something similar) when they asked the question in 2008. Like bri already said, they don't need an answer. I certainly hope they figured it out by now.

As far as people asking the same questions over and over again, that is sort of the nature of a message board. Yes, the search feature is excellent. People who are familiar with a message board will use it. Maybe they will find the answer they want, maybe not. Maybe they just want to post their feelings (vent away) which are slightly different...

I think it is great to suggest people use the search feature or the "similar threads" box below, but it shouldn't prohibit someone from asking a question.

 

[bogwoppit]

I think what JBS, and the rest of us admins/mods, are trying to do is make it very easy for new members to learn the ropes by creating an information page that will easily guide them through the learning stage.

Yes, sometimes newbs get the swift short answers. But often it is the same few people who respond to posts and sometimes that job is too much for them. I know in the past I made a point of welcoming every new member, but this year there have been so many and I have been so few (you know what I mean!) that I have been neglectful of that. Along with that I just answer questions the best I can as nobody else has responded, then often I will resort to searching old threads that can help and pointing the newb to them.

I love people using the search function, I also love people starting a new thread, and even linking to old threads in it. But to respond to a two year old "problem" with a solution is not productive.

Anyone is free to ask as many questions as they wish, but they should be encouraged to look for answers that may be already here. This place has 150,000 threads and many of them are wonderful, but it isn't a reason to ressurect them.

Finding a balance between keeping things moving along and pissing people off is always a challenge. But I suppose if 90% of members are happy then it is not all bad, but if only 10% are happy then we have a problem.

 

[Tumblequeensmom]

I may get virtually "slapped" here (won't be the first), but what I see happening over and over again in society is that people don't WANT to use their resources to find out answers to questions. They want that immediate response and don't want to be "bothered" for lack of a better word. I work in an elementary school all day long... and those pesky little 5th graders do NOT want to use a dictionary, thesaurus or any other resource that's available to them. They just want to ask and be told the answer. I see the same thing w/adults as well. No one wants to take a minute or to do a search on any topic whether it's an encyclopedia (old school), internet, dictionaory, whatever.

Yes, everyone wants to be welcoming to the newbies. Maybe putting a sticky w/the most oft repeated questions would be an idea to ponder? (Sorry, Admins) I do know that sometimes I will get on here for a quick minute or two and my screen is bogged down with new responses from a thread several years old!

 

[bogwoppit]

Google is everybody's best friend. I am often amused by people's lack of ability to do basic research. TQM you hit the nail on the proverbial head.

 

[NGL780309]

As far as responding to older posts, I know for me I just click on "What's New" and then read anything that interests me. I often in the past wouldn't notice that a post was old since it came up under "What's New". I'm sure others have had the same problem.

 

[gasrgoose]

But often it is the same few people who respond to posts and sometimes that job is too much for them. I know in the past I made a point of welcoming every new member, but this year there have been so many

My $.02 is this is the where the problem starts. bogwoppit your post are helpful and polite and the below response is not directed at you personally. But if the same few people repsond to each and every thread the forum becomes less of a public forum and more of an "ask Jeeves".

I'm new to this forum but have been on another forum that is much more active than this forum for a couple of years. The problems are the same. There are a few people who respond to everything; most are nice and helpful. Some become frustrated by the same questions and get snarky. Some think they are the only ones who have the correct answer and must respond. But the best threads are the ones with the most varied responses. If an old thread becomes current and people are discussing the topic, it might be because it is a current issue to them. Just let it be. If you have a response but are to concerned with the age of the original question post to respond then don't respond. Everything will be ok even if you don't respond to every thread. And if the short and sometimes rude posts aren't near the top of the thread more people will respond.

 

[JBS]

Haha...I am a major offender of this one. It is funny when some expects a reply from someone that hasn't been active for years.

"Necro-posting" = Posting in dead threads.