Can we stop locking threads?
It is very frustrating that old topics are locked. They pop-up in search but then they can't be updated when they are outdated and are forever noise in the Internet.
For example this post: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1376551
It is incorrect. Now it is possible to revert to the previous useful behavior from `about:config` -> `browser.download.start_downloads_in_tmp_dir`
But I can't update neither the support thread, nor the reddit thread because both are locked. And I can't save other users from half an hour search.
I understand that many users tend to reuse threads incorrectly. But this is not much if at all harder to moderate than low quality new threads. It will be much more useful to allow editing old threads. Even if the new comment requires a moderator approval.
For example I try to post a comment, it warns me that this is an old thread and if I'm not adding an update because of product improvements, I should ask a new question. And that a moderator should approve my post.
Only then it adds to some moderator queue.
I think it is apparent from other forums and sites like the stackexchange bunch that editing old questions is often very valuable.
All Replies (2)
That is not possible. Threads are locked/archived automatically after 180 days (three months) as they might no longer apply to the current release. It wouldn't make sense to keep them open and update each of them as you can go on indefinitely (i.e. when to stop updating) and archiving the thread is a clear indication that its content might be outdated and that you should search for a more recent thread. On Google you can restrict the search range via its Tools menu or by using &qdr:m (one of d|w|m|y followed by a possible number &qdr:m3 for three months).
cor-el said
That is not possible.
You mean that it is not possible to program the web site to stop locking? Or that it is impossible to program the web site to have a button reporting a new solution to the moderators or at least reporting an outdated solution? Impossible to program the web site to link existing threads to newer ones? idk, maybe ask chatgpt for a second opinion?
As you can see eventually I found a solution but lost much more time than necessary. I also gave you an example of a successful questions/answers website where threads are not locked. And by the way I personally have 40 necromancer badges there, where I answered old questions upvoted many times.
But if it is *not possible* what can I say. By this line of thinking, we would still be using punch cards instead of keyboards because we could still input the necessary data into the computers (and read result back).
P.S. using Duckduckgo most of the time. It also have ability to restrict time. But anyway, instead of doing a search, finding something at least with links to the proper solution is much easier than searching for recent things, then older and older, etc. You're not serious to suggest this as the "solution".