Gransnet forums

AIBU

to ask if we NEED multiple threads?

(19 Posts)
gracesmum Thu 11-Apr-13 18:10:28

Do we need more than one thread on a topic? Looking at Active Threads we have three in a row on Margaret Thatcher and I incurred bluebell's wrath this morning when I pointed out that we had at least one (if not two) threads already on organ transplants. I have been guilty myself of rushing to start a thread on Richard III without checking whether there was one already (there was) - so is it unreasonable to suggest we check first before initiating a new thread? When you have multiple threads you get posts on one OR the other(s), you can lose track of what has been said where and there is the risk of replication.

Gally Thu 11-Apr-13 18:20:28

I'm a great checker Grace. In fact I check so much I don't ever seem to initiate a thread - (possibly too scared) grin
BTW hope Grace is feeling better after her visit to theyou-know-what?

Bags Thu 11-Apr-13 18:21:30

YANBU, but the search function on here is CRAP, so I think people can be forgiven for not finding old threads, at least. That doesn't really cover the Thatcher ones, which are all new, but there's no way of knowing how people 'enter' the site. You'd have to come in via Active to see what was already there and possibly many people don't do that.

I think we just have to lump it, graces smile

gracesmum Thu 11-Apr-13 18:24:16

Is there another way on site apart from Active, then? That's what I get first.

Bags Thu 11-Apr-13 18:37:11

Of course! You could go gransnet.com–forums–chooseaforumatrandom

for instance.

I nearly always just go straight to active too, but I don't suppose everyone does.

And the search wotsit is still crap.

j08 Thu 11-Apr-13 18:38:10

When I have a complaint from HQ about starting unnecessary threads, then I will not start any more.

Ana Thu 11-Apr-13 18:42:00

I have 'Active' saved on my Favourites and that's how I always come in.
No messing!

Galen Thu 11-Apr-13 18:42:50

That'll be the day!

gillybob Thu 11-Apr-13 18:45:29

Can't see the problem really . What difference does it make if there is plenty going on on each of the threads who cares if there's 10 of them?

Ella46 Thu 11-Apr-13 18:57:19

Me too Ana....twins wink

Ana Thu 11-Apr-13 18:58:03

Ella! smile

Eloethan Thu 11-Apr-13 18:59:31

People may be new to Gransnet so may want to comment on an issue that's been discussed before.

If people aren't interested they can just ignore the thread.

POGS Thu 11-Apr-13 19:18:06

Couldn't care less. It doesn't happen that many times anyway.

gracesmum Thu 11-Apr-13 19:52:15

So anything that has been said/contributed the last time round can just be written off as irrelevant? If people want to comment on an issue that has been discussed before wouldn;t you want to know what has been said?

Bags Thu 11-Apr-13 19:58:01

You might. But, as I said, it can be nigh on impossible to find anything. Or you might just want to say it all again. Or you might want to be deliberately provocative. Or you might have absolutely no idea (because if you're new why would you think of searching for a previous thread anyway?) that it had been said before.

And so on.

I have sometimes searched for a thread that I know exists but have given up because I can't find it and started another. If you can't remember the thread title or which forum it was on, you're stuffed.

I wonder how many threads there have been already?

Nanban Thu 11-Apr-13 20:59:55

Sometimes people just, in that moment, need to write something and if it creates a duplicate of something else, it really doesn't matter. Freedom and welcome is what Gransnet is all about and long may it continue.

j08 Thu 11-Apr-13 22:34:06

Good post Nanban. Sometimes you just need to let off steam. Or make a protest.

GN is good for that.

kittylester Fri 12-Apr-13 07:17:28

Ana, Ella triplets smile

Ella46 Fri 12-Apr-13 08:13:09

kitty grin