Ghost threads on the "Active Topics" lists?

otter

There are some problems with the "Active Topics" lists that need fixing.

First, the "Active Topics" lists on some of the forum pages show threads that no longer exist -- they were deleted from the Boards months ago. 

One example of such a "ghost thread" is the thread, "A Stage one, IDC is just wondering about something."  That topic was started last fall on the Stage IV forum, but was eventually removed at the request of its originator.  Yet, I've seen that thread title listed as an "Active Topic" several times in the past few weeks as I browsed the forums.  Clicking on the link for the topic brings up a "Page Not Found" error message.  Just a few minutes ago, I saw that topic on the "Active" list at the top of the forum for "Second or Third Breast Cancer."  I refreshed the page multiple times, but that topic remained in the same position on the list.  It wasn't in any of the other "Active Topics" lists on the other forum pages, from what I can tell.

There was a similar "ghost thread" on the "Active Topics" list at the top of the page for the forum, "Walks, Runs and Other Fundraising Events."  In that case, the ghost topic was "Suzanne Somers on Larry King Tonight - Cancer Book."  A few weeks ago someone said that thread had been deleted from the "Alternatives" forum, where it originally appeared.  Clicking on the link to the topic brings up the "Page Not Found" error.

Another glitch in the "Active Topics" listings is that some of the topics shown there are not active at all (besides the deleted ones, which obviously aren't active).  This morning, the "Active Topics" list on the "Walks, Runs and Other Fundraising Events" forum included the thread, "In the theme of cable TV, I either need an INTERVENTION."  The most recent post to that thread was dated "Oct 23, 2009 04:52 pm."

Finally, maybe I just don't understand how the "Active Topics" lists are generated.  The topics on those lists seem to be different on each separate forum page where "Active Topics" are shown.  I understand that the position of a thread on the list will change as other topics become active.  But, shouldn't a topic that's the most active overall be at the top of the list on all the pages where "Active Topics" are listed?  Some that are at the top of the list on one forum page aren't even on the lists on other pages.  What determines the topics that are shown, and their position on those lists?

I am sorry that I cannot provide a "screen print" to show the problems I've mentioned.  I can't remember the key combination on my Mac.   

otter 

Beesie

otter, thank you so much for bringing this up.  I referenced this problem one time ages ago, but nothing has been done to resolve this.  I find it particularly disturbing that one of the non-active threads that always shows on my "Active Topics" list is titled "I spoke with Stephanie (tripleneg)".  Most unfortunately and sadly, Stephanie passed away almost 3 months ago.  The post refering to her passing is the last post in that thread - so clearly it's not an "active" topic.  Every time I see that thread on my "Active Topics" list, I am bothered by it - it seems very disrespectful.

otter

Oh, Beesie, you're right!  The problem with the "Active Topics" is much worse than I had thought.

I just found a thread called, "FLALADY - Where is she??", that's on at least two "Active Topics" lists right now, even though there hasn't been a post to that thread since October 22 of this past year.  The lists where it appears as an "Active Topic" are on the forum for "High Risk Women" and the forum for "Breast Prostheses and Reconstruction Alternatives."  The thread was started on the Stage IV forum last fall.  The date of its most recent post was the day after we learned we'd lost FloridaLady to BC.

The thread you mentioned, "I spoke with Stephanie (tripleneg)," is shown as an "Active Topic" right now in the list on the "Waiting for Test Results" forum.  You're right -- the most recent post to that thread was on October 29, 2009, announcing Stephanie's passing.  That thread is also on the Stage IV forum.

I've only checked 12 of the 59 forum pages for threads like those.  I wonder how many others there are.  Or, is the whole "Active Topics" system frozen, except perhaps for the very first list on the "Forum Index" page?

otter 

Binney4

Otter, Beesie, thanks for bringing this up. The "FLALADY - where is she??" one has really hurt me on the several occasions when I've seen it and clicked on it, expecting there to be some new news from her bereaved friends, and -- nothing. It's jarring to those of us who knew her and still grieve her passing. And, yes, Beesie, I agree that it's disrespectful.

Mods, this is important. Please do take care of it.

Thanks,
Binney

konakat

It seems that only the Active Topics on the Forum list page is actively regenerated.  The other pages have very old ones.  Must be a coding error somewhere on the other pages.

faithandfifty

Ladies. I completely completely completely agree with why this 'challenge' is an actual problem.

I did not get to know FLlady, but I did follow TripNeg and everytime that reference comes up, which it seems to for me on a daily basis, I get a new lump in my throat...... and perhaps that is necessary for me and my grieving process, but the disrespect seems agonizingly like a cyber bully pulling my strings.

Please, please, please if there is a way to fix this, please make it a priority.

Thanks to Otter for bringing it up.

Very best wishes to you/mods and all of those who support BCO, so that I can have a tether to sanity..... now as a "two-timer", I can't even begin to express my new-found appreciation without an ensuing sob-fest, so I'll just say a quick thanks and leave it at that.

Maybe once my drains are removed I'll feel less like a science-fair project and more like a human.

xx00xx00xx00xx

hollyann

((((FAITH)))))....yes you will feel more like a human and less like a science project!.......you will feel 100% better.....

I agree...The phantom topics are not necessary...I hate to see the one come up about FlaLady too as it brings back memories and sadness again and again.......I hope someone finds a solution soon....

Thank you mods for all your help and hard work here at BCO!.......

Beesie

Hmmm..... 3 days and no response?  Not even a "thank you for bringing this to our attention"?  I understand that a fix might take a while but acknowledgement that this is a problem would be a good first step.

Ezscriiibe

Did you send anything to them directly in a PM?

Ezscriiibe

Hmm.. Plus I wonder if the "activity" that gets registered with a thread is not simply in posting activity, but reading activity, as well.

For example, a thread may only have 10 replies, but 150 views. Is it also the "views" that trigger the activity meter?

By mentioning the threads, and people going to peek, does that register as activity, too?

I dunno. Some boards operate that way (views = activity) and some restrict "activity" to posts only. Wonder which "counter" this board uses.

otter

No, I haven't sent the Mod(s) a PM.  That's probably the thing to do, since it usually brings a quick reply. [Time out...]

Okay, I sent a message to the Mods.

otter 

otter

Yesterday, Melissa wrote to say she and the tech team were working on the problem. Today she wrote to say she thought they'd solved it.  I did a random check and it looks like all the "Active Topics" lists are the same, now; with no ghost/phantom threads or inactive threads anymore. YAY!!!

She said to let her know if we notice any more of these problems.

otter

[Thanks, Melissa!]