answering old threads

One of the Apache threads I answered recently - http://forums.devarticles.com/showthread.php?t=9903 - was locked by Viper SB who posted: "Mittineaque please check the orginal posted date before posting thanks
closed". I knew the thread was an old one, but it hadn't been answered (or locked). I thought that the DEV igrep search used the forums in it's database and that an answer might prove useful to someone. Although I have already answered all the unanswered threads that I felt qualified too answer, if I am wrong, what is the maximum age limit to answer a thread, or if it varies, could the moderators lock all threads that are too old to answer? Thanks.

Thread age and appropriateness of posting in them is a judgement call by the moderator. In this case, I'd PM Viper and discuss the issue with him personally.

You were not harmed in the process, so I'd not worry about it overmuch.

Thanks Dngrsone. It's not like the post was deleted. And I realise the the original thread starter isn't likely to see my post after so long a time. I also agree that if someone needed more info pertaining to the thread's topic it would be best to start a new thread. Like I previously mentioned, I just wanted to get the info into igrep's database. I have also answered all the older previously unanswered threads that I am going to. I have no issue with Viper SB's locking the thread, I was just concerned as to forum policy. Thanks for letting me know that no harm was done.

Often, just because the thread is locked doesn't necessarily mean your post is unappreciated -- if Viper really did not like your post, it would have been deleted

I've had that happen in my forums too -- there's a thread that's really old and unanswered that gets a lot of views because it ranks high in some search engine, and then someone actually answers it a year or so later. In such a case, the responce is beneficial, because now the many people who will read the thread will get an answer, but as mods, we don't want a whole new conversation to spawn inside the thread. So usually standard proceedure is to just leave the post for future viewers and to lock the thread so no one else responds.

Just saw this post today

In direct answer to your question, more then a month old is normally to old. At least that's what most mods close them at. Your post wasn't bad in any asspects but I don't think you think it was .

I normally close old posts because:
1. After you post another user may come and think that the thread is active and try to answer it also.
2. Another user comes along and starts asking there own questions in it instead of posting a new thread.

Hope that answers it, and please do continue to help out we need content for igrep.

Thanks All, It is enlightening to get some insight into forums from the moderator's perspective. I'm afraid I wasn't considering the maintenance aspect. I can totally agree. I'm sure there are times when even managing the recent threads is a bit over-whelming.