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Should you resurrect an old thread or start a new one?


clementine
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I've been a hive member for many years, but I'm not sure I know the etiquette about this.  I resurrected a thread today because I did a search on the topic first.  I thought that it would be best to keep the thread going since it was the same topic?  I didn't mean to stir a pot or wake a 'zombie'.  :)  

 

I'll feel like a veteran here when my kids are grown & I've experienced my last homeschool-related issue.  (I never want that day to come!!)

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I don't think you did anything wrong, and I am also totally sure you had good intentions, so I don't think it was a big deal that you resurrected the thread. I will admit, though, that I recognized the old thread and checked to see who had bumped it before I read the new posts. Once I saw it was you, I realized right away that it was a legitimate bump and not some new troll trying to stir up trouble.

 

That said, I think it's usually best to start a new thread unless you are the OP of the original thread and have a big update to post. :)

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I think it's good to resurrect in certain circumstances... for example, if you'd specifically like to know how, say a certain product or curricula or trip or something worked out for the OP. Or if you're the OP and want to give an update. And, of course, there are some long term threads on the ed boards (say, that relaxed math thread or that pre-algebra fence thread or that massive filing thread) that periodically come around again and people add new resources and others are delighted to see it for the first time and discover this good content.

 

But generally, yeah, new thread nearly every time. When in doubt, start a new one. Or, start a new one and link an old one saying something like, I did a search to see if this had been discussed and turned up this older thread, but I had a new question, etc. etc.

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I'll add... I've been on boards where it's the exact opposite so the start a new thread manners rule is really culturally specific to different forums. I prefer it this way though - it's easier on newbie, IMO, than wading through a million posts to figure out where the conversation went and how to wade in with their own comments or questions.

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I think if the thread read backwards, with the newest post showing up first, it wouldn't be such a big deal to bump old threads. But since people often don't read the date first, they end up reading the old post and responding to that one rather than the new post, with the current person who wants to hash out the topic.

 

So part of it is just the format of the board.

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