Necroposting, the art of resurrecting a topic considered "dead" (meaning: no new posts in a long time), is generally discouraged in most forums. Sometimes, however, you can happen across an old thread that's very interesting and you may want to provide your thoughts on it. That's only natural, and depending on the situation, there are a couple of things you can do.

Thanatos's guide to resurrecting topics:

For simplicity's sake, we'll use an example; a thread about animal cruelty, and couple of different scenarios. Here's what you can do:

If the scenario is like any of the following:
You want to participate in the topic by directly addressing one or more comments made by someone in the old thread.
(Example: "I think you're wrong, dude. Animal cruelty is totally unacceptable and I would like you to explain why you think otherwise.")
You want to participate in the topic by picking up the discussion right where it left off.
(Example: "I agree with previous posters in saying that animal cruelty is wrong. I do have some additional thoughts on what you've been discussing for three pages about preventive measures, though.")

What you should do: Please leave the topic be.

Your reply will most likely be pointless, because the discussion is either no longer relevant (things change with time) or the people you respond to are no longer present. If the old participants still are active in the community, responding to it will most likely not be appreciated. Nobody likes to justify or explain a comment they made 3 years ago, because they probably don't remember posting it--much less why they did.

If the scenario is like any of the following:
You want to participate in the topic by stating your views on the subject.
(Example: "I think animal cruelty is wrong.")
You want to participate in the topic by adding to an off-topic discussion in the original topic.
(Example: "I also enjoy watching anime. Got any tips of good series?")
You want to participate in the topic by going off-topic.
(Example: "I like spaghetti.")
What you should do: Please start a new topic.

In starting a new topic, you get to say what you want to say, but you also let the old thread rest in peace. There's no need to open old wounds, reignite any flames or bring old discussions to attention again. Plus, you'll get a boost to your "topics started" count.

Also be aware that if you resurrect a thread by going off-topic, the forum moderators are going to come down on you with all of hell's fury (unless I get to you first, in which case it will be much, much worse than that).

In any other scenario:

What you should do: Please PM a moderator.

When in doubt, always consult a moderator before resurrecting a topic. If the thread has been dead for years, you probably don't have to post your reply right now. Allowing some time for a moderator to give clarification can save you a lot of trouble.

Please note: None of this applies to topics that have been closed by a moderator. Threads usually are closed for a reason, and evading a lock is never a good idea.

Thana

Well I'm glad thats cleared up, but in my defence the only reason I resuurected that one topic was because I had an opinion on
what the guy was talking about, I was just late for the show

By about half a year

True that, but I guess it's better late then never...LOL, I Apoligise(spelling) if I pissed anyone off.

Most of these threads are ubberly old, I was just catching up
Alex did say that there is no rules on posting on old threads,
however I will limit doing so just so I don't upset anyone.

Even if it was a few months old, that thread was still one of the most recent topics in that subforum. It wasn't thread necromancy. Redsun has nothing to apologize for.

I'm making an effort to keep peace...LOL, thats why I said I'm sorry, I didn't want to
step on anyones toes, I didn't want to be the cause of any forum wars or anything, also
out of respect to those who may think posting to old forums is annoying.

I mean to me personally it wouldn't bother me, but some do get bothered by it.

Also worth noting that Thanatos is not a moderator... I don't mind you discussing ideas like this for keeping the forums tidy, but please don't take it upon yourselves to invent rules, because I'm the only one who's allowed to do that

Yeah, I wouldn't come down hard on anyone..

I don't really think it's a good idea to post to old topics.

Alex wrote:Thanatos is not a moderator...

Now now, lets not go into the details

---

I mean, if you want to participate in the topic by directly addressing one or more comments made by someone in the old thread,
(Example: "I think you're wrong. Alex would be a better mixed doubles tennis partner for Elexxorine in that thread you ran three years ago.")
or you want to participate in the topic by picking up the discussion right where it left off,
(Example: "I agree with previous posters in saying that the umpire should be allowed to stab any player who disputes a line call.")
then they should leave the topic alone.

Your reply will most likely be pointless, because the discussion is either no longer relevant (things change with time… maybe Elexxorine has taken up golf) or the people you respond to are no longer present. If the old participants still are active in the community, responding to an ancient thread will most likely not be appreciated. Nobody likes to justify or explain a comment they made three years ago, because they probably don't remember posting it — much less why they did.

In starting a new topic, you get to say what you want to say, but you also let the old thread rest in peace. There's no need to open old wounds, reignite any flames or bring old discussions to attention again.

Also be aware that if you resurrect a thread by going off-topic, the forum moderators may become even more confused than they already are.


Thana

EDIT: Fixed typing errors. I'm very good at taming lions but not always brilliant at proof-reading.

True that, but at the time it was Relevent to me, so I stated my opinion on the matter, I figure every
forum member should have the option to have a say in a topic regardless of age unless it's
clearly in the rules, as you said things change, this is also true about people going away for
awhile and coming back, or people(like me) who rarely post on the forums, only reason I'm here
now is because I have the time.

I figure people who do get annoyed by this can simply not support it by not replying on the topic.
but all is ok, nobody got hurt

Alex beat me to the punch. I was going to ask if there was a term that refers to someone who pretends to be a moderator. bwahaha.

Anyway every point that I had thought of was mentioned in response so hurray for everyone.

Wheee, pointlessness ftw

I know you're not referring to my statement, kettle.

Nope, this whole thread >_>

Agreed