Duplicated threads: Merge Posts or Lock?

[Aquanox]

I've been in these forums for a while, and in the beginning it was pretty easy to post new threads without worrying of being duplicating threads.

However, now the forums have grown in number of users and threads, and sometimes it's very difficult to detect if someone have previously posted something before, even when you use the "Search" engine (some just put a pretty generic title and a link) and this ends up in some good new threads being locked for that (even when they might have more info, better presentation, etc...).

I'd suggest a solution for this by merging posts that are worth keeping, for example. By doing that, we could keep some interesting information, media and user's contributions in posts that otherwise would be locked and lost. The title and author of the post would keep the one that was posted first.


I'm not sure if this is possible in PhpBB forums like this one, but if not, I'm sure there should be an add-on for that.

Cheers.

[The Butcher]

Yeah I would like it if the mods merged the posts instead of just deleting them.

[wrathofall]

MERGE! MERGE! MERGE! MERGE! MERGE!

[turkmen117]

i'm kinda unfamiliar with the expression merge....

[Aquanox]

i'm kinda unfamiliar with the expression merge....

Merging posts is like combining them. You take 2 separated posts, and when you merge them, the posts will be rearranged in one single thread sorted by posting datetime.

The new thread will keep the title and author of the one that was created first.

[Steroyd]

i agree people actually have a good comment most of the time at the end of the article, and then they have to copy and paste it into the new thread.

but if we do merge instead of just plain locking wouldn't that mean we'd get the exact same article in the thread about 3 times over?

*scrolls down thread*
seen that article before
*scrolls down thread*
seen that article before

etc.

[OKlondon]

They should based on the mods decision. It ll be a lot easier.

[BigChiefFan]

They definitely should try and merge the threads so we don't miss out on the information. I search on here all the time, can't find the topic, post a new thread and then whammo-we've already discussed this. It's frustrating because I want to share information and get in on the discussion, but don't want to be reprimanded. I think merging of threads would help the board flow alot better and keep everybody up to date. Plus everybody would feel included in the conversations.

[Mael Duin]

Looks like "Merge by Mod's Decision" is leading. I'm for it.

[Tobian]

If the possibility exist, that I’m all for it. 8)

[markyp23]

If you merge threads, once you've read it, you won't go back to read the merged posts.

Also, if they don't get sorted by time, you'll have old posts hanging around with much newer posts.

Mod decision, without question.

Also, NAME THE THREADS BETTER!!!!

Mods should go an change all the OMG LOOK AT THIS1111!! thread names. Some of them can link to good articles

[WhatRuOn]

I would say usually just lock them, because most of time the threads are full of people flaming the poster and generally adding nothing to the discussion. There are some cases when 2 threads are co-existing and both have insightful context, that should warrant a merge.

[Perfect Sin]

A post ladder would be better. For instance if a post has been made before, the newer post would get merged with the original post. The Mod would use the merge ability. Then when a user clicks on the original post, he/she get's a drop down ladder showing the original post, and the newer post.


At least I think that would be better. But I doubt a feature/hack has been made to do that.

[adamba4e]

I wish there was an option to combine threads, but there is not.

[sonofsam]

I wish there was an option to combine threads, but there is not.

Here you go Mr. Adam, not sure if this helps. Click ME (http://www.phpbb.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=149057&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0)

Off Topic:
Also I still believe the mod I posted in this thread is a great idea... Look here (http://www.ps3forums.com/viewtopic.php?p=269378#269378)