Is this a Lounge Community or a Research Archive?

I personally prefer new threads and a conversational atmosphere. However, some seem to prefer reviving old threads and discouraging any new threads that touch on a previous topic. What do you prefer?

Wed. Sep 27, 3:11pm

I prefer fresh discussion. If someone wants to link to a prior discussion, that is great, but we should have freedom of speech- no?

Wednesday, September 27, 2006, 3:15 PM

usually before i begin a new thread, i will search to see if the topic has been addressed previously. sometimes it has, so i revive that thread. that is, if the thread is not very, very long and if it actually stays on the original topic. the nasty comments also prompt me to start anew. it depends. i like to check the old threads, though.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006, 3:16 PM

i think it is both. why pick one?

Wednesday, September 27, 2006, 3:17 PM

I start a new thread. There's always someone here (and I think it's one person) who complains and says why don't you search for it? I ignore her or him every time. It's their personal problem.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006, 3:26 PM

I agree. Start a new one. If someone wants to refer you to an old thread to help you, great. Bottomline, if they don't want to read a new thread on an old topic, they don't need to read it.

BTW, I think I know who that nasty person is too. I wonder if there's any way to ask the site administrator to find the source? It's very distressing to see someone come to the lounge to talk about something that's worrying them, only to have someone trash them.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006, 3:32 PM

i have suggested that the original poster search for further information, but not in a complaining or disciplinary manner. i have never "trash"ed anyone for starting a new thread on a previously posted topic, either. i think it's useful to inform new members about the search system and "archive" feature of the lounge.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006, 3:37 PM

The old threads are nice to have for reference, but new discussion is always interesting. I think if people don't want to read a new discussion on a previously posted topic, then they should just ignore the new thread. That's what I do if I'm not interested in a thread.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006, 3:40 PM

To 3:37, I don't think you're the person I'm talking about (above). Pointing out previous posts is fine, if well intended. I'm actually referring to the person who gets nasty in almost all of these threads. I for one am getting sick of it.

Sorry, OT :-)

Wednesday, September 27, 2006, 3:47 PM

There are nice, respectful ways to refer to a previous thread, and there are unpleasant ways to refer to a previous thread.

Some examples:

(a) This is Not Nice and a thinly veiled "shame on you for wasting our time":
"i suggest searching the numerous threads on this topic. i think you will come across many that may be helpful"

(b) Nice and respectful:
"this thread (link provided) had some info I had never seen before"

Wednesday, September 27, 2006, 4:51 PM

I appreciate new discussion because many threads seem to take on a life and direction of their own and a fresh discussion can steer the thread in places the old one would not have. However, I definitely like some of the older threads where someone remembers an old discussion and brings it back up to see how the situation is progressing. i can certainly see the value in reading older threads to see what discussions have occured in the past, but some of them I no longer read due to the sheer volume of flaming going on, so I appreciate when we have another chance at it.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006, 5:31 PM

Sometimes someone is new to Peer Trainer and doesn't even realize there was a thread It happened to me and someone told me nicely about the old thread. I think there are some topics we could discuss over and over again and not be bored. If it bothers skip it!

Wednesday, September 27, 2006, 7:22 PM

for fear of redundancy i always search for an old thread just in case, and I'm usually helpled by that stuff.

but i am quite frustrated with loooooooong threads that get off topic... most everything gets nasty after about 15 posts! by that point i'm ready to argue and not even remembering what i came there for, HAHA!

i think that if a certain level of common sense is used, the new threads are probably started for a legitimate NEW reason and people can just be civil and join in or just choose to refrain.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006, 8:34 PM

i prefer fresh conversations. i don't care if it's already been talked about. if i have had that conversation before, i don't read the thread.

Thursday, September 28, 2006, 8:34 AM

in response to 451pm

i have used the exact words you used in your example (a) and had no disrespectful intentions or and in any way interpreted my words as "a thinly veiled "shame on you..."". this is getting out of hand. is there going to be an "appropriate" words/phrases pamphlet issued ? i have been and will remain polite when offering my opinion, but i am not going to take extra time to word my comments so as not to potentially offend the most sensitve reader, unless the topic is of such a nature as to require a more thought out response.

Thursday, September 28, 2006, 9:30 AM

I think the problem on here is that it's impossible to "hear" the tone of anyone posting here. While I didn't read option A as being rude in the least, others may very well see differently (as we've just seen). This is just the inherent problem with any online forum. It's been the same way for years.

Of course, in "real life" misunderstandings happen all the time, too. But I think the online world lends itself open to more interpretation.

Thursday, September 28, 2006, 1:59 PM

what exactly is offensive or rude about example (a)? i don't get it...

Thursday, September 28, 2006, 2:17 PM

i spent most of an hour perusing through the archived threads and there is a lot of information here! i am open to any posted thread, old or new. as long as it's new to me.

Friday, September 29, 2006, 12:15 PM

I like new threads being posted, as they can head off in a fresh direction and I also get bored reading threads that are really long.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006, 4:18 PM

Yes, new threads are the best!

Wednesday, December 20, 2006, 9:54 PM

it's funny that this thread was revived instead of taking a new poll!!!

Thursday, December 21, 2006, 12:41 PM

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