The forum REALLY needs topic closing
I was just browsing through recent posts and one of the first ones I came across was one where a new user was resurrecting the dead. This happens all to often.
The forum needs to allow the Original Poster to CLOSE the topic once she/he determines it should be closed. This will stop people from resurrecting the dead years later. I often come across this, and don't want to ask your overworked Moderators if they can do it.
The OP should be able to re-open the thread within 6 months of closing if something new and relevant comes up. Say a slight tweak to an answer discovered during solution testing.
A thread that is idle for more than 6 months should be closed by the system and be able to be re-opened. Maybe also flagging them as “Abandoned”? I think this point is crucial as OPs typically do not even mark their topic as solved and probably would not close them.
Kenn.
Quality is the Journey, not the Destination. My limited prints->
Moderator(s)
If a Moderator reads this topic can you please close it? I can't!
Kenn
Quality is the Journey, not the Destination. My limited prints->
RE: The forum REALLY needs topic closing
I disagree with automatically closing threads after a given time expires or after the OP reports a fix. On other forums I have sometimes posted project threads of things I am working on, with detailed explanations and pictures such that they might become a resource for anyone looking to do the same thing later on. As is the nature of projects, often they will get put on the back burner for either short or long periods before I get back to them. I have literally resurrected threads going back years and resumed where I left off, so the reader doesn't have to go through multiple threads to follow one of my projects to completion.
Also something I have seen a number of times since I have been reading this forum, is sometimes when a thread does get resurrected later on by somebody having the same problem, the OP will give an update on which solution they used, and how well it worked out for them in the longer term. I find that to be valuable information, and it is something that will be lost if threads are routinely closed. And why make a new thread if you are having the same problem as somebody else did previously, but their solution didn't work for you, or there was never one posted? That's valuable going forward because anyone searching and finding that thread may find more possible solutions in one place.
Nearly every other forum I have been on, the only time threads get closed/locked is if they have gotten contentious to the point where flaming and argument have drowned out any useful exchange of information.
RE: The forum REALLY needs topic closing
...I have literally resurrected threads going back years and resumed where I left off, so the reader doesn't have to go through multiple threads to follow one of my projects to completion...
Oh? Example? (So I can lean something)
...Also something I have seen a number of times since I have been reading this forum, is sometimes when a thread does get resurrected later on by somebody having the same problem, the OP will give an update on which solution they used, and how well it worked out for them in the longer term...
I have never seen this. Example?
Closing a topic doesn't mean deleting it.
There is a world of difference between "having the same symptom" and "having the same problem".
There is no value to resurrecting 3-4 year old topic. It is always better to open your own topic rather than "Me too". That way you get attention directed for your issue instead of annoying people trying to help someone else. In my career as country support, I would never attach someones issue to an existing one, but always opened a new one.
Kenn
Quality is the Journey, not the Destination. My limited prints->
RE:
...I have literally resurrected threads going back years and resumed where I left off, so the reader doesn't have to go through multiple threads to follow one of my projects to completion...
Oh? Example? (So I can lean something)
I will give an example for your first request simply because I know exactly where to look and it might have some interest for other members here:
https://www.theguncounter.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=18031
An oven I built primarily for curing paint finishes, but I have done some powder coating with it and even used it to dry a few spools of filament lately. Once it's on temp it will hold plus or minus a degree easily.
...Also something I have seen a number of times since I have been reading this forum, is sometimes when a thread does get resurrected later on by somebody having the same problem, the OP will give an update on which solution they used, and how well it worked out for them in the longer term...
I have never seen this. Example?
Closing a topic doesn't mean deleting it.
There is a world of difference between "having the same symptom" and "having the same problem".
There is no value to resurrecting 3-4 year old topic. It is always better to open your own topic rather than "Me too". That way you get attention directed for your issue instead of annoying people trying to help someone else. In my career as country support, I would never attach someones issue to an existing one, but always opened a new one.
Kenn
Then you haven't been paying attention. I am not going to hunt through forum posts looking for those meeting that criteria, but I have seen several like that in the less than a year I have been here. Sometimes the thread resurrection is well chosen (same or related issue) and sometimes it is not. If nothing else it shows that the person posting the new question at least took the time to search for a solution. At best the thread can be an ongoing resource for those experiencing similar or the same issues, and at worst you get a few less relevant posts at the end of a thread that had already run its course. Either way the number of threads asking the same repetitive questions is reduced.
As far as your work experience of never attaching different users' issues in your system, that's apples and oranges. This is a discussion forum, where people discuss things. Sometimes discussions wander. If a user wants actual tech support they should either contact Prusa on the phone or through their chat, and their issue will probably be handled exactly as you describe. This user forum is not tech support; it is just users sharing their experiences, and you shouldn't expect it to operate the same way.
RE: The forum REALLY needs topic closing
Here’s a thread that’s been alive here since 2017 and, in my opinion, should never be closed as it continues to help new users with a fundamental, new to 3D printing struggle.
I point folks to this thread all the time. Just sayin’.
Cheers
RE: Active vs. Inactive
Here’s a thread that’s been alive here since 2017 and, in my opinion, should never be closed as it continues to help new users with a fundamental, new to 3D printing struggle.
I point folks to this thread all the time. Just sayin’.
Cheers
I agree it should not be closed as long as it is actively being updated. Difference is that this topic has been continuously active, not sitting abandoned for 3-4 years. Just sayin’
Kenn
Quality is the Journey, not the Destination. My limited prints->
RE: The forum REALLY needs topic closing
...I have literally resurrected threads going back years and resumed where I left off, so the reader doesn't have to go through multiple threads to follow one of my projects to completion...
Oh? Example? (So I can lean something)
I will give an example for your first request simply because I know exactly where to look and it might have some interest for other members here:
<Link deleted>
An oven I built primarily for curing paint finishes, but I have done some powder coating with it and even used it to dry a few spools of filament lately. Once it's on temp it will hold plus or minus a degree easily.
Also something I have seen a number of times since I have been reading this forum, is sometimes when a thread does get resurrected later on by somebody having the same problem, the OP will give an update on which solution they used, and how well it worked out for them in the longer term...
I have never seen this. Example?
Closing a topic doesn't mean deleting it.
There is a world of difference between "having the same symptom" and "having the same problem".
There is no value to resurrecting 3-4 year old topic. It is always better to open your own topic rather than "Me too". That way you get attention directed for your issue instead of annoying people trying to help someone else. In my career as country support, I would never attach someones issue to an existing one, but always opened a new one.
Kenn
Then you haven't been paying attention. I am not going to hunt through forum posts looking for those meeting that criteria, but I have seen several like that in the less than a year I have been here. Sometimes the thread resurrection is well chosen (same or related issue) and sometimes it is not. If nothing else it shows that the person posting the new question at least took the time to search for a solution. At best the thread can be an ongoing resource for those experiencing similar or the same issues, and at worst you get a few less relevant posts at the end of a thread that had already run its course. Either way the number of threads asking the same repetitive questions is reduced.
As far as your work experience of never attaching different users' issues in your system, that's apples and oranges. This is a discussion forum, where people discuss things. Sometimes discussions wander. If a user wants actual tech support they should either contact Prusa on the phone or through their chat, and their issue will probably be handled exactly as you describe. This user forum is not tech support; it is just users sharing their experiences, and you shouldn't expect it to operate the same way.
I checked your link and yes you just dropped(put on hold) it for years and picked it up later. I learned a lot. Very enlightening!
No example - unsubstantiated.
There was no "system", just good opportunity resolution practice. If you don't understand it, I cannot explain it.
A closed topic is a resource, if you know how to use it.
This is not a Prusa official support site. True. But people come here for support from a vast pool of people with diverse experiences in 3D printing. I don't know how you define "tech support", but to me, people(paid or volunteer) helping people to resolve an opportunity falls into that definition.
Yes people share their experiences and discuss things(hopefully without devolving into a schoolyard brawl), but they also ask for help.
Interesting: Printer is "printing" but no filament is coming out
Kenn
Quality is the Journey, not the Destination. My limited prints->
RE: The forum REALLY needs topic closing
No example - unsubstantiated.
Again, not going to spend time digging up forum posts looking for examples just to prove the point, especially just to have you come up with some reason why you don't think they are applicable like you did with the example RandyM9 posted. Another one that comes to mind is the thread with all the info on the "no drip" start gcode by Bobstro and others. Search it out yourself if you haven't already seen it; you'll be glad you did.
There was no "system", just good opportunity resolution practice. If you don't understand it, I cannot explain it.
Tech people are used to thinking of a system as being made up of tech, but one synonym for system is methodology. You had a methodology/system for providing tech support that is not relevant to the function of a discussion forum.
A closed topic is a resource, if you know how to use it.
This is not a Prusa official support site. True. But people come here for support from a vast pool of people with diverse experiences in 3D printing. I don't know how you define "tech support", but to me, people(paid or volunteer) helping people to resolve an opportunity falls into that definition.
Yes people share their experiences and discuss things(hopefully without devolving into a schoolyard brawl), but they also ask for help.
Interesting: Printer is "printing" but no filament is coming out
Kenn
It's interesting and no, I don't see the point in that thread having been closed. There is no advantage whatsoever to preventing a thread from being updated with relevant information just because it appears to have run its course for now. It's great when somebody can post a year or more later on whether their solution worked in the long term, or that they found an even better solution, or if they hadn't found one at the time, but later on stumbled into it some other way. Yeah a lot of people aren't going to bother but some of us will. And again, as long as it hasn't devolved into a fight (though if somebody wants to, I'm usually game... 😀 ), I just don't see any advantage in closing old threads. Especially the way this forum is set up so you have a very limited amount of time in which you can edit a post. I think that causes as many problems as it solves, but for sure it cuts down on spammers making a bunch of inane posts and editing them later to point to whatever they are hawking.
RE: The forum REALLY needs topic closing
I sincerely doubt the Prusa Forum Gods will do anything with this one way or another, so this is likely all academic.
I do get the point that there are threads resurrected from the dead that should have been left in the digital either. My guess is someone googling for an answer stumbles on an old forum post and says 'Eureka! That's MY problem! Let me go to there and seek wisdom.'
I've opened some threads only to find that the newest post is perhaps years after the last post. In certain cases the 'old' info from the thread is no longer valid or has been surpassed by new tech, new materials, etc. I have to admit I do get tweaked sometimes thinking, "why didn't this nitwit just start a new topic?"
Just as often, I find myself learning something new and I appreciate having the history to look back on. So I'm not sure there's a 'perfect' answer to this question. The Jeff Jordan 'Life Adjust Z- my way' thread being a perfect example, but, as you rightly say, this has been active since 2017 so maybe not the best example.
I surely see both sides of this issue and at the end of the day, it's just not worth getting too worked up about, imho.
To my Forum friends here in the USA, and wherever else you may be celebrating, Happy Thanksgiving! I wish you all the best.
Cheers
Randy
RE: The forum REALLY needs topic closing
I just stumbled on a thread started in May of 2019 that has seen random, periodic posts and updates, some 6 months or a year apart. The topic is one that has evolved over time with new releases of PrusaSlicer providing added capabilities.
This, I believe, is a sound example of @netpackrat ‘s argument for maintaining a single forum post over an extended time frame, despite gaps in timing of new posts. As software changes and receives updates, new questions arise but the original information, in many cases, remains entirely relevant.
https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/prusaslicer/output-filename-format/
Again, I don’t think the original proposal re closing a topic after 6 months has a clear ‘black or white’ answer. In some cases it makes sense, in others not so much.
Here’s one that, in my opinion, could have (should have?) been left for dead:
If we look hard enough I’m sure we can all find threads that belong on on one side of the line or the other. I guess I’m okay with things as they are. I can always scroll past the zombie threads when they’re not interesting or relevant to me. And I can do a deep dive into a topic that’s been alive for years and still has something to teach me.
Cheers