Should old posts die?

[NeeZee]

Depends on the topic. Valuable info about film cameras, darkroom techniques etc. will remain valuable whereas rumor threads for the newest digital thingy will be useless once that thing is for sale. No wait, actually they are useless the moment they are posted, so how about a smart autodelete function or something like that?

 

[Godfrey]

When you see something you are going to reply to, just check to see when the original thread was created and when the last response was to see whether it's sensible to add to the same thread or start a new one on a related topic.

Why destroy the history created by the discussions by deleting old posts?

G

 

[Tejasican]

Old posts often have historical benefit. As someone late to the RFF I have benefited greatly from the knowledge residing there. In regards to reviving the old threads if there is additional knowledge to be added I see nothing wrong with a continued expansion of the knowledge base or a picking up a discussion where it left off. YMMV

 

[raid]

😀

This is RFF. A site where over 55% of members still view RF cameras as the main reason for being here! Maybe, we are "oldfashioned?"

Old stuff is "good". Keep it.

On the other hand, do we really need very old threads on digital cameras?!!!!!

😀😎😀😎😱

 

[DNG]

NO

Old threads are always useful, especially to new members who are looking for information that will help them catchup a bit, if they are 1st time RF users.
Or 1st time home developers, or 1st time Camera owners...

There are always new photographers that want to do a bit of research, before they start replying in a more educated way.

 

[Rodchenko]

There is a wealth of knowledge on here you would not really find elsewhere.

 

[f16sunshine]

No they should stay.
That said I think sometimes members are too quickly dismissive of questions or threads about subjects that have been covered in the past.
It's not always easy to find those old threads.
I mean, how many threads do we have here?
Searching can be distracting as it leads one down a rabbit hole of interesting topics!

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Old posts never die... they finally make their way into the NSA's vaults. :-o

 

[Frank Petronio]

Old posts never die... they finally make their way into the NSA's vaults. :-o

Yeah so no worries... Allah Akbar Death to Satan

 

[panerai]

I think many misunderstood what I was saying.

I didn't mean that older posts be deleted. They are still there for reviewing in the search function.

Raids post is relevant as is "What's in the mail" etc. and should be made into sticky's as everyone responds to them.

Don't understand why the post date is a dark gray against a black background when everything else is white. It's very easy to miss that when checking out the posts.

I only meant old posts where the OP is long gone, so responding to it serves no purpose as they're no longer around to read the reply

DON

 

[colyn]

Since many have info I say keep them..

 

[ZeissFan]

It's the Internet. Nothing ever dies on the Internet. Ask anyone who has been arrested and then tried to find a job 10 years later and their youthful stupidity shows up on a Web search.

Plus, who's to say what is relevant and what is no longer relevant. There are a number of people who have left various forums for whatever reason, and their thoughts and advice remain useful.

 

[JChrome]

They might as well be allowed to die. Many people will not take the time to search for an answer that may be in an old post, so many of the same questions keep getting asked, and answered, multiple times.

Yes and no. I've read quite a lot of posts from 10 years ago (because I'm shooting with olde equipment as many of us here do). Then again, I have without question posted about things that I could have had answers to had i searched more.

 

[Carterofmars]

I'm always a little suspect when someone attempts to suppress. Because one may deem a thing irrelevant, does not make it so.

 

[dmc]

if you're really that concerned…maybe just take personal responsibility and check the damn date of the frst/last post in a thread before you reply.

That's not very friendly. Bad day?

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

 

[Godfrey]

... On the other hand, do we really need very old threads on digital cameras?!!!!! ...

We need those more than for film cameras. Most film cameras talked about here have been around for decades, so someone searching for a detail about their use has a bazillion places to find it.

A fine "old" digital camera is a decade old ... like my Olympus E-1 ... and there are many details and nuances that even today an owner new to these cameras might be trying to find. The sources are far more limited, so we should NEVER throw those away.

The purpose of forums like this is to support people in doing photography. Deleting information that might be unique or priceless is the wrong way to do that.

G

 

[CameraQuest]

RFF is a repository of often hard to find knowledge with over a million posts.

Access to old threads for discussion will stay the way it is.

Stephen

 

[maddoc]

RFF is a repository of often hard to find knowledge with over a million posts.

This. 🙂

 

[raid]

I was just joking with the users of digital cameras, Godfrey.
I love old things. Keep 'em.


Raid

We need those more than for film cameras. Most film cameras talked about here have been around for decades, so someone searching for a detail about their use has a bazillion places to find it.

A fine "old" digital camera is a decade old ... like my Olympus E-1 ... and there are many details and nuances that even today an owner new to these cameras might be trying to find. The sources are far more limited, so we should NEVER throw those away.

The purpose of forums like this is to support people in doing photography. Deleting information that might be unique or priceless is the wrong way to do that.

G

 

[Al Patterson]

RFF is a repository of often hard to find knowledge with over a million posts.

Access to old threads for discussion will stay the way it is.

Stephen

However, doesn't Fred expire his posts? He posts some great stuff.... so, ...