"Thread Closed" status not indicated in Alerts list

[symbolipoint]

We have the system of Alerts and the tool to open that list, and visit any post or topic in the Alerts list. Sometimes a thread or topic for a listing in the Alerts list is CLOSED; but the item in the Alerts list shows no indication that the 'thread is closed'. Only if we are signed in and are sharp enough would we find that upon visiting one of our Alert items, that none of the posts have a 'reply' link, and that we may intelligently guess that the thread or topic is now closed. And then the last post of the topic will show the moderator posted for whatever reason that "thread is closed".

Eventually, most if not all members visiting that topic will find that it is closed, but it may not appear immediately obvious.

 

[anorlunda]

Eventually, all threads get closed. Look at threads from 10 or more years in the past, they are all closed. It is part of our archived knowledge base.

Those old threads still have value. People find them by google searching for phrases. They don't need to be PF members. A person can get there by search, read and learn from the thread, and never notice how old the thread it. To him, the age is irrelevant. It is also irrelevant if the thread is closed if he just wants to learn by reading, not posting. If the person is not registered on PF, he can't post anyhow.

One thing you do see on the alert list is the view count. That count continues to grow year by year. Sometimes, the number of views after the last post far exceed the views during the time the thread was active.

 

[Keith_McClary]

Look at threads from 10 or more years in the past, they are all closed. It is part of our archived knowledge base.

I was on another board where they keep threads open forever and don't allow new threads on the same topics (and merge any that were). You had to be a bit careful answering the early posts because some members have died.

 

[StevieTNZ]

Rt Hon @Greg Bernhardt - is this a bug or a suggestion?

 

[symbolipoint]

Rt Hon @Greg Bernhardt - is this a bug or a suggestion?

You asking the administrator? I am who asked about this topic. I chose "bug", but am not insisting on the topic being a suggestion. It is more an OBSERVATION, and allows for some explanation.

 

[StevieTNZ]

You asking the administrator?

Yes.