Older posts and inactive posters

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TarheelMichelle
TarheelMichelle Member Posts: 871
edited June 2014 in Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests

I have seen the topic of "resurrected" posts from deceased members addressed before. Is it still something that concerns others? I just noticed one today. Here's what (seems to) happen: A person does a topic search, finds an older thread with helpful information, adds a post, someone else reads it and asks the original contributor a question, not noticing that the post dates back several years, and then a helpful person who is up-to-date comments that the original poster has passed away. Everyone is trying to be helpful, in this example, but it can create some awkwardness. In other cases, the person who started the post may not be deceased, just inactive, and the person who asked the question doesn't know this. The problem is the same: people who discover a relevant yet older post don't know if the contributors are still active members, without clicking through to their profiles. I was wondering if BCO could help with that, but adding the last post date, as I have seen other forums do. For instance, at the top of every post, where it lists "Joined May 2008," it could say "Joined May 2008, Last post June 2010." Finally, I couldn't post this suggestion without a big THANK YOU to the mods and everyone else who maintains these discussion boards.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2013

    It is painful to pick up a thread on the Active Page and find it's been started by a friend who died.  Seems to make the MOST sense to LOCK a thread that is old, inactive - so newer posters can read, but not post, and therefore start another thread on similar topic if they want to.

    I now check the OP in the Active Thread - to avoid as much as possible reading those threads which are started by someone who's died.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited August 2013

    I know it might sound insensitive, but if a new member does a search and finds information pertinent to them and has additional questions, why shouldn't they be allowed to post on that thread? Speaking only for myself here, but it would warm my heart to know that after I'm gone, someone else would find something I posted helpful, or even life-saving. I realize it bothers some to see older posts resurrected, and sometimes it's just a stupid comment, but if it bothers some that much that something needs to be done, I think Sunflowers' suggestion is a good one. JMO, because for the most part, I only have fond memories of those we've lost. I understand others feel differently, so whatever happens, I'll deal.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited August 2013

    A sticky issue indeed. Locking a thread makes it read only, so someone new would have access to any relevant info and could then perhaps start a new thread if they want current info/feedback. It would also be great if new members were urged to read the date of the op as well as the last posted comment, especially if they are looking for a response. It is very awkward to see someone post on an old thread and ask the op how they're doing, when they have long passed.

    Strange that this has come up because someone recently started a thread about a rare bc complication and asked for help on how to deal with it. The only members I knew who had this complication have since passed, but (with some hesitancy) I referred the new poster to their threads in the hope that she will find info to help her. Felt a bit other worldly since I knew both of them. No easy solution to this and sadly, it comes with the territory.

    Caryn

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2013

    Thank you all, for your thoughts on this reality of our community's life. We'll continue to watch this discussion with interest, and we welcome all suggestions.

    • The Mods

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