Resurrection of old threads

[henrythedog]

I’m amongst the first to moan when I think that current threads are being closed just because they’ve got a bit lively.

I have another thought.

I’ve seen a couple of threads being brought back from the dead recently when they might have been dormant for a couple of years, or more.

Might the moderators give thought to potentially automatically locking a thread after - for example - two years of no activity? The huge benefit if this forum - for me - is the current and contemporary comment.

I have a further thought which I’ll develop further to discourage the new post every week about poles in carry-on bags.

 

[Bradypus]

This business of frequently resurrecting very old threads is fairly new. A while back one of Ivar's forum updates added the list of "OLDER threads on this topic" to the bottom of the pages. I may well be wrong but I don't recall it being a feature until fairly recently. I think that may be why they are not lying decently dead and buried. And I suspect that those who dig them up again often have not bothered to check the date

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Believe me I get it. I filter out such things using Eyeball Mark One, and Finger Brake v 2.

 

[Derrybiketours]

Might the moderators give thought to potentially automatically locking a thread after - for example - two years of no activity?

How do you know that there's been no activity. Some people observe, lurch and participate when their ready they may or may not express through words plus can't see problem with posts being resurrected, its healthy for a forum to keep everything on the table

 

[henrythedog]

How do you know that there's been no activity. Some people observe, lurch and participate when their ready they may or may not express through words plus can't see problem with posts being resurrected, its healthy for a forum to keep everything on the table

Fair point.

I didn’t consider threads being viewed without eliciting a reply.

 

[Kathor1]

Might the moderators give thought to potentially automatically locking a thread after - for example - two years of no activity? The huge benefit if this forum - for me - is the current and contemporary comment.

When this new feature (old threads are listed at the bottom of the screen that may or may not be related to the topic of the currently open thread) appeared on the forum for the first time after a forum software update there were not enough people who said that they didn't like it that forum members can still comment on them and thereby revive them, see for example https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/new-forum-setup-old-threads.53285/. There are gold nuggets in them old threads.

I fail to be convinced. I wish they would get locked after a certain period of inactivity. People can still read them if they want to.

 

[Derrybiketours]

Fair point.

I didn’t consider threads being viewed without eliciting a reply.

I would guess that 20% of ops provide 80% of content so majority are inactive, actively participating

 

[Derrybiketours]

And as if by magic a new first time post appeared in another thread...

Greetings all,
I have been here for over a year watching your posts and dreaming of walking. On Sept 24, 2019 I will begin at SJPP. I come among you all as the beneficiary of your rich experience that you have so kindly shared. Thank you.

 

[henrythedog]

And as if by magic a new first time post appeared in another thread...

I think Kathar1na suggested the cause of the issue - it’s the automatic suggestion of older threads which prompts a resurrection by those who - unlike DaveBugg - don’t check the date often enough.

The first-time-post of a long-time-lurker is rather different.

In one of those ‘hoist by your own petard’ moments (which should scupper all the non-native English speakers, and 95% of the natives). I rather wish the mods had locked this thread now!

Anyway - I’m eagerly awaiting my soap.

 

[Derrybiketours]

Don't forget your soapbox, it can get messy...

Chef Aid Soap Holder Box, White, Confezione da 1: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home

Great prices on your favourite Home brands, and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[VNwalking]

There are gold nuggets in them old threads.

I guess I'm in the minority here, but sometimes old threads have a lot of useful information, and adding to the bottom of an old thread minimizes duplication and proliferation of threads about topics that reappear again and again.
It's only a problem if you don't read the thread before replying.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

. . . it’s the automatic suggestion of older threads which prompts a resurrection by those who - unlike DaveBugg - don’t check the date often enough.

Hey. . don't think that I don't get 'caught'; I just get a little less caught now

 

[dougfitz]

Might the moderators give thought to potentially automatically locking a thread after - for example - two years of no activity? The huge benefit if this forum - for me - is the current and contemporary comment.

I am not convinced this is a good idea. While it doesn't occur often, I am occasionally prompted to reflect on views that I expressed several years ago, such as in this thread from 2011.

@danielle aird quoted a post of mine from 2011 a little earlier, and it made me wonder whether my views on this had changed in the intervening time, and why.

I suspect others appreciate this opportunity too. If these threads were locked, we would no longer have such a direct link that presents the development of forum members' thinking on certain issues as their experience and understanding grows.

My second concern is how we might define 'current and contemporary'. I first walked the CF in 2010, but then not again until 2016. There were sufficient changes to suggest that my experience from 2010 was no longer completely contemporary, even if many of the things that I did learn on that earlier pilgrimage were still useful and practical.

As for the posters in this thread so far, I think all of you have been on pilgrimage in the past two years, so collectively the knowledge you can share about the routes you walked is current. But there are some topics where information will remain current for much longer, and is perhaps enduring. I don't personally think much has changed about what is good practice when it comes to walking poles in over a decade, even with the emergence of one specialised hand grip and a variety of detailed improvements in materials, lock design and other construction improvements over that time. On the other hand, advances in materials technology has created significantly different approaches in clothing and other equipment items.

My third point is that there is a significant difference in the appearance of the forum if you access it on a smartphone compared to when it is used on a tablet, laptop or conventional desktop device. On the latter, the date that the OP was created and that of the last post is presented on screen on pages like 'New posts'. It was pretty easy to identify on my tablet a hour or so ago that 'New posts' contained two threads that were originated in 2011. It is also possible to see when the last post in these threads was submitted. That is not possible on a smartphone. So if one is regularly using a smartphone rather than accessing the forum on other devices, it takes a little extra effort once a thread has been opened to determine when it originated.

 

[Kathor1]

I guess I'm in the minority here, but sometimes old threads have a lot of useful information, and adding to the bottom of an old thread minimizes duplication and proliferation of threads about topics that reappear again

I still fail to be convinced but this is just an expression of my opinion and preferences if asked. It's not meant as criticism.

I think on the whole the revived old threads do nothing more than duplicate and triplicate and n-cate what's also in more recent threads and even in the current thread that led to their revival by a casual reader. What this forum doesn't have, in contrast to other forums of the same age (15 years!) are decent well maintained FAQs. Again, just an observation, not meant as criticism.

People obviously like to share and share and share again. They advice a poster who posted their question 9 years ago and hasn't been on the forum for 8 but the advice can be of course useful for newcomers who've not yet read the dozens of other threads with the same advice.

 

[Kathor1]

As far as old threads are concerned, what I miss is the option to select threads from a certain period of time in the past, for example all the threads of the year 2005. The content of these old threads is quite different from now, at least that's my impression. That was a time when people mainly used desktop computers and not smartphones to access online content, and quick exchanges that scroll into oblivion fast, like we are used to from Facebook or WhatsApp or Messenger, were not as common as today. I think at the time people actually followed and read the whole conversation before they replied which is often not the case today. People either react to the first or the last message in a thread and completely ignore the rest.

 

[henrythedog]

I still fail to be convinced but this is just an expression of my opinion and preferences if asked. It's not meant as criticism.

I think on the whole the revived old threads do nothing more than duplicate and triplicate and n-cate what's also in more recent threads and even in the current thread that led to their revival by a casual reader. What this forum doesn't have, in contrast to other forums of the same age (15 years!) are decent well maintained FAQs. Again, just an observation, not meant as criticism.

People obviously like to share and share and share again. They advice a poster who posted their question 9 years ago and hasn't been on the forum for 8 but the advice can be of course useful for newcomers who've not yet read the dozens of other threads with the same advice.

Decent well-maintained FAQs - the obvious answer to the weekly ‘can I take my poles in carry-on baggage’ thread

If anyone in authority would care to form a team, I’d volunteer.

 

[VNwalking]

decent well maintained FAQs

@ivar ?
This is a brilliant idea. Even if it's only to direct people to the appropriate and current threads.

 

[wayfarer]

There are some questions that FAQ's can never answer, bringing poles in hand luggage is one of them IMO because in many cases it all depends on who you meet on the day at airport security, I have seen some people refused and ten minutes later someone else get through with them.
I have also said many times over the years that we have no problem answering many times asked questions from new members who have not yet mastered navigating the forum, that is what the forum is for and a little patience from veteran members is all that's required.

 

[Bradypus]

a little patience from veteran members is all that's required.

Not sure if I count as a veteran member. But I am well aware that I lose patience very easily with a lot of these questions which are repeated time after time after time.... Not sure that a FAQ section would be a huge help in reducing them though - if someone is unable or unwilling to use the search facility before posting their question would they be any more likely to seek out the FAQs? But grumpy or dismissive replies are not helpful so I usually leave it to some more tolerant and generous person to answer rather than risk a slap on the wrist from the moderators for publishing my unspoken/unwritten initial response

 

[hel&scott]

@ivar ?
This is a brilliant idea. Even if it's only to direct people to the appropriate and current threads.

There is a whole section on Frequently Asked Questions with the most frequently asked ones pinned to the top. There are also a lot of resources which help provide advice on pack lists, alburgues etc. Wayfarer has a point in that often the answers to questions do change overtime and updating FAQs can be a humongous task. In the last forum redesign the Older Thread section was added to help new users find related information, yes it has lead to reactivating some old threads but it's not the end of the world when that happens.

I think the issue is more that some people ask questions without searching for answers first. Perhaps it's the excitement of planning a new Camino, or just the desire to get a personalised response. Some of the veterans go out of their way to provide advice and links to relevant threads and I am sure this is appreciated.

 

[Kathor1]

For entertainment not for discussion:

I typed poles airport Santiago site:.caminodesantiago.me into Google and 2680 results came up. This must mean that there are 2680 forum messages with these three words in them (I didn't verify). One of the moderators also posted a detailed standard reply to the question whether poles are allowed in cabin luggage (hint: uncertain) for a while into relevant threads but I haven't seen it for quite some time.

Let's face it: one of the functions of this forum is that it's a talking shop. People want to talk. One has to tune out if one doesn't want to listen to some or all of the talk.

 

[wayfarer]

Let's face it: one of the functions of this forum is that it's a talking shop. People want to talk. One has to tune out if one doesn't want to listen to some or all of the talk.

Excellent point Kathrina.

 

[Derrybiketours]

Isn't it simply human nature to ask what others perceive as an obvious question. It happens in everyday life so this forum is no exception and sometimes people either don't know what information there looking for or they are not cohesive in forming a clear request or their too lazy which we can all be from time to time. Some people may have had no or limited access to a forum or have very little experience with searching or online activity. Isn't it possible that others have encouraged these novice users to ask any question and you'll receive a comprehensive answer as reputution of this Forum proceeds it in comparison to other online websites. I agree FAQ's ought to be a given consideration. It would permit others to quickly access and direct user to response via hyperlink or copy and paste. But isn't it also unique that its one of the few forums or websites that doesn't have this. Instead the responses are timely, accurate, qualitative and relevant to the user despite how obvious the question through patience of the usual suspect's contributing and contribution of other members theres a synergetic forum people culture of wanting to support the novice and to make there question and answer feel personsal and relevant, in turn making them feel part of something bigger, part of a community, an extension of the camino way. The contributors may also feel purposeful and despite explaining things more than once maybe theres a learning in doing something over and over, it keeps information fresh, can alter perspective with new learning and more important that feel good when helping others and every so often receive a wee like. Who doesn't have an Ego, I bet the alerts and messages to reaction score ratio is checked now and again as confirmation that their opinion and that of others matters

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

As far as old threads are concerned, what I miss is the option to select threads from a certain period of time in the past, for example all the threads of the year 2005.

Threads are numbered and the number shows up at the end of the URL to the start of the thread. For example, the URL of this thread (with the lead removed so it doesn't get automatically converted to a live link) is:
community/threads/resurrection-of-old-threads.64420/

But did you know that you only need the number in last portion of the URL? The URL below will bring you to the same page as the one above:
community/threads/64420/

So you can have fun visiting old threads by randomly picking a number:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/1234/

 

[wayfarer]

Not sure if I count as a veteran member.

Most definitely a veteran member Brady.

 

[Former member 49149]

Threads are numbered and the number shows up at the end of the URL to the start of the thread. For example, the URL of this thread (with the lead removed so it doesn't get automatically converted to a live link) is:
community/threads/resurrection-of-old-threads.64420/

But did you know that you only need the number in last portion of the URL. This will bring you to the same page as the one above:
community/threads/64420/

So you can have fun visiting old threads by randomly picking a number:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/1234/

Rick, you are so smart! I love it...
I also want to echo something of the ideas in Derrybiketours post above yours, Rick.
“But isn't it also unique that its one of the few forums or websites that doesn't have this. Instead the responses are timely, accurate, qualitative and relevant to the user despite how obvious the question through patience of the usual suspect's contributing and contribution of other members theres a synergetic forum people culture of wanting to support the novice and to make there question and answer feel personsal and relevant, in turn making them feel part of something bigger, part of a community, an extension of the camino way.”
There is always someone awake on this forum! Always someone with the right information, or helpful comments... ok, the odd skirmish, maybe due to not thinking twice, maybe due to language issues... but on the whole, folks, ‘we’ are more than hundreds of ‘you’...all of Xxx’s children have a place in the choir.

 

[Kathor1]

Threads are numbered and the number shows up at the end of the URL to the start of the thread. For example, the URL of this thread (with the lead removed so it doesn't get automatically converted to a live link) is:
community/threads/resurrection-of-old-threads.64420/

I've read quite a few old threads but it's awkward to get to them in a convenient and systematic way. What I mean is that it is possible to select threads newer than a specific date but not threads older than a specific date or threads between two specific dates. The advanced search option lacks these two functions.

 

[Kathor1]

I actually feel sometimes that this forum is getting a bit sclerotic. Direct info from people on "The Way" and responses to requests for immediate help have moved to Facebook groups.

 

[t2andreo]

Believe me I get it. I filter out such things using Eyeball Mark One, and Finger Brake v 2.

AMEN brother! My itchy fingers are now well-trained to avoid hot-button nouns and pronouns... Yikes!

 

[VNwalking]

Direct info from people on "The Way" and responses to requests for immediate help have moved to Facebook groups.

Ha! Maybe. Except for those of us who dismiss The Way, and who won't go near FB if you paid us.

 

[henrythedog]

There are some questions that FAQ's can never answer, bringing poles in hand luggage is one of them IMO because in many cases it all depends on who you meet on the day at airport security, I have seen some people refused and ten minutes later someone else get through with them.

I’ll drop my suggestion as it’s clearly going nowhere.

The ‘poles’ example was just that - an example - but I would maintain that there is a simple cogent answer:

1.These are the published rules with respect to poles in hand luggage ...
2.The rules are sometimes not enforced consistently.

Surely that’s more helpful than a random collection of posters setting out their personal experience and maintaining that there is a definitive answer or recommending their patented solution to beating the system?

[Edited to remove what was supposed to be a complimentary reference to another poster, but which inadvertently gave offence]

 

[wayfarer]

The ‘poles’ example was just that - an example - but I would maintain that there is a simple cogent answer:

1.These are the published rules with respect to poles in hand luggage ...
2.The rules are sometimes not enforced consistently.

Surely that’s more helpful than a random collection of posters setting out their personal experience and maintaining that there is a definitive answer or recommending their patented solution to beating the system?

On this I would agree because basically it is a case of showing up with your poles and taking a chance on getting them on board. I always bite the bullet, pay the €20 extra and check my bag in, poles and all, the other obvious thing to do is buy a set at your staging point.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Locking old posts would be rather sad IMHO. Recently on of our old threads from 2011 was revived and the new post gave a thoughtful addition to the comments made in previous years - which in turn received another reply as someone found the thread due to the new post.... Those comments would have made less sense probably if on a new thread as they were relevant to the thread as a whole.

I have asked the Moderators to lock some of my old threads regarding the 'Camigos in S Devon',, which are giving dates for a specific year, so as to avoid confusion. New posts then go on the thread for the current year.

However - if you don't like old threads then don't click on links to 'older threads' or check the dates - but please don't let them be automatically locked.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I've read quite a few old threads but it's awkward to get to them in a convenient and systematic way. What I mean is that it is possible to select threads newer than a specific date but not threads older than a specific date or threads between two specific dates. The advanced search option lacks these two functions.

View attachment 64690

I know my previous post didn't actually help too much with your specific question but I did think it was somewhat useful. I also meant to post my tip sometime and your post gave me a prompt to send it in.

I probably use Google to search the forum as often as I use the forum's search feature. For really tricky searches I go to https://www.google.com/advanced_search
but more often I use the normal search but I plug in the text site:caminodesantiago.me too.

 

[henrythedog]

Actually I don't think that answer IS more helpful. I prefer to understand the background, details and subtleties of a problem. This illustrates exactly why there is often not a "simple cogent answer" that is useful.

Here, you have taken my statements and stripped them of the intended nuances and qualifiers, in order to make a generalized half truth. Why? Is that helpful to anyone else?

I presume that you intended some humour, but internet communication is famously bad at clever humour.

If I have offended you, then I apologise. I clearly misunderstood you.

 

[jdpiguet]

Really nice to dig with the thread number, the smaller one I was able to catch is number 3:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/hostal-suso.3/
I leave it to you, old "veterans" , the pleasure to discover who was already writing in this prehistoric times...
Another particularly savourous one is number 9...
"Hut ab" Ivar to have kept the forum alive and lively to now!
Buen Camino, Jacques-D.

 

[PK Smit]

I’m amongst the first to moan when I think that current threads are being closed just because they’ve got a bit lively.

I have another thought.

I’ve seen a couple of threads being brought back from the dead recently when they might have been dormant for a couple of years, or more.

Might the moderators give thought to potentially automatically locking a thread after - for example - two years of no activity? The huge benefit if this forum - for me - is the current and contemporary comment.

I have a further thought which I’ll develop further to discourage the new post every week about poles in carry-on bags.

I totaly agree on the subject of poles as carry on luggage, when will people start to adhere to rules and regulations

 

[Kathor1]

I totaly agree on the subject of poles as carry on luggage, when will people start to adhere to rules and regulations

Here's the link to a standard forum note with detailed information on this controversial evergreen topic, posted by forum moderators at least 9 times within the last 2 years.

Here are the titles of the 9 threads:

• Another treking poles question
• Walking poles through airport security?
• Collapsible poles allowed on BA?
• Trekking poles and airlines
• Trekking poles
• Can hiking poles be carried on board airplanes?
• Hiking Poles hand luggage in Planes ?
• Security crackdown on taking walking poles with cabin backpacks ...
• Ryan Air-Checking hiking poles in Santiago

"Hiking Poles hand luggage in Planes?" was started on 9 January 2011 and periodically awoken from its well deserved slumber throughout the years, for the last time in February 2018 . These are just the threads with the standard moderator note, there are many many more on the same topic without the standard note that was intended to put an end to the controversy.

 

[dougfitz]

I totaly agree on the subject of poles as carry on luggage, when will people start to adhere to rules and regulations

They won't. I suspect we are all scofflaws at some point or other, and contravene some law, bylaw or other regulation, perhaps by design but equally possibly by oversight. I have a parking ticket on my desk that proves I parked incorrectly recently, so I am not suggesting that I am any different to anyone else.

However, I don't suggest that one should attempt to circumvent the rules, whereas there is a fairly active group of regular posters here who do in relation to the carriage of hiking poles in cabin baggage. I gave up a couple of years ago pushing against them - there is little point, and I was worn out from it. I admire those like @t2andreo who continue to promote adherence to the regulations, and can only hope that he and others like him have some, even small, influence on people taking flying safety seriously.

 

[chinacat]

Really nice to dig with the thread number, the smaller one I was able to catch is number 3:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/hostal-suso.3/
I leave it to you, old "veterans" , the pleasure to discover who was already writing in this prehistoric times...
Another particularly savourous one is number 9...
"Hut ab" Ivar to have kept the forum alive and lively to now!
Buen Camino, Jacques-D.

Ha ha ... that thread #3 was revived @ both 5 and 7 years beyond its original posting!
Great choice!

 

[RobertS26]

How about combining several old closed threads into one to save time? For example:

Shirley MacLaine: is she a "true" pilgrim if she started in SJPP, used TSA approved hiking poles, but had her luggage forwarded and did not speak any Spanish?

Discuss amongst yourselves.

 

[VNwalking]

Wow. Nope. Not going anywhere near that one.

 

[David Tallan]

How about combining several old closed threads into one to save time? For example:

Shirley MacLaine: is she a "true" pilgrim if she started in SJPP, used TSA approved hiking poles, but had her luggage forwarded and did not speak any Spanish?

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Perhaps not in this life. But in a previous life....