ATS Members - Do You Prefer NEW Threads or Adding to Existing Threads?.

I've wondered this for YEARS, but never bothered to ask..until now.

When a subject is started, why do ATS members not continually add to it, as new developments arise?

Two examples...

1. North Korea - Kim Jong has sworn to launch at least 1 missile a week. There is a thread entitled "North Korea Watch 2017". In my mind, every time a test missile is launched, that information should be added to the existing thread, instead of starting a new one. This makes it easier to follow developments. Ex: Give your book a broad title, and then add chapters as the story unfolds.

Instead, there must be at least 8 threads at this point about North Korea's weapons tests.

2. James Comey: He has already testified at least twice about Russia, 2016 Election, Collusion, etc.. Today, it was announced that he was going to testify again next week. Instead of starting a thread, I found the existing "Comey Agrees to Testify" thread and added this latest announcement to it.

Meanwhile, at the same time, an ATS member started a fresh "Comey Agrees to Testify" thread.


QUESTION: As an ATS Member... do YOU prefer to see a NEW THREAD for every development or announcement, even if that development/announcement would be a natural add-on to an existing thread on the overall subject?

If most of the responses are "YES", I'll abandon the common-sense approach that we use in Industry and Business forums, and do it the ATS way. Thanks in advance for your feedback!

-CareWeMust

a reply to: carewemust

The only reason I appreciate a heads up with new threads is many times I am unaware of an older, existing thread already talking about an issue, so then if new news is only posted in that old thread I miss out on it.

If I am aware then I prefer posting in the older, existing thread, instead of cluttering the boards with duplicates.

I dont check recent threads all that often and rely mostly on the 'new' thread page. So sometimes I miss, or forget the older thread.

a reply to: carewemust

Consider how long it would take the site to fold for good with no new pertinent, speculative and current topics??????

New, sometimes I forget to bookmark and then lose it.

Depends how big the new development is and how much chatter is in the current thread.

a reply to: carewemust

I go to new threads more often but I prefer older threads. I go back to threads to learn and and continue challenging others. When I don't go back it's for many reasons half intentionally, half not.

a reply to: carewemust

Such a great question...

For issues already being discussed and the breaking news thereof, existing threads.

For real "breaking news" like someone finds a dead Bigfoot, etc..., definitely a new thread.

Personal musings -- it depends. I'd leave that one up to the person doing the musing.

originally posted by: carewemust
When a subject is started, why do ATS members not continually add to it, as new developments arise?

It's an odd behavior in internet forums.

originally posted by: stosh64
a reply to: carewemust

The only reason I appreciate a heads up with new threads is many times I am unaware of an older, existing thread already talking about an issue, so then if new news is only posted in that old thread I miss out on it.

If I am aware then I prefer posting in the older, existing thread, instead of cluttering the boards with duplicates.

I dont check recent threads all that often and rely mostly on the 'new' thread page. So sometimes I miss, or forget the older thread.

Ah..that would explain why new threads get more responses, than existing threads with additional info added!
My first click when arriving at ATS is the "Recent" button. Thanks for the reply Stoch64!

a reply to: mysterioustranger


You misinterpreted my question, MysteriousStranger. In no way was I inferring that no new content be added to ATS. Have a nice day!

I bumped that older thread because I don't know how to quote content from other sites. My attempt looks like a copy paste steal that cost me once when a mod had to correct it.
( Thanks for fixing it DontTreadOnMe )
I can't figure it out for a kindle and so far I can't get any answers on how to.
So I will start threads on original content but not news.

originally posted by: slapjacks
New, sometimes I forget to bookmark and then lose it.

I don't how to bookmark a thread on ATS. But after 10 years here, I'm still finding new features.

The "search" function is bare-bone, but thankfully it's indexed to the forum's contents thoroughly.

a reply to: carewemust
S
Just posting in a thread will bookmark it for you or click the bookmark next to the heart up top on the right.

i've no particular preference but i like to see 'new' as i know it's current.

- EDIT - actually thinking about it i always click 'recent' first when i check in here

originally posted by: stosh64
a reply to: carewemust

The only reason I appreciate a heads up with new threads is many times I am unaware of an older, existing thread already talking about an issue, so then if new news is only posted in that old thread I miss out on it.

If I am aware then I prefer posting in the older, existing thread, instead of cluttering the boards with duplicates.

I dont check recent threads all that often and rely mostly on the 'new' thread page. So sometimes I miss, or forget the older thread.

Same here stosh. I often miss things the first time around and appreciate that I didn't miss the topic because a new one was up. Then if it is closed and a link for an earlier one is there, I go to the earlier thread.

a reply to: SBMcG


That's my philosophy as well, SBMcG. But it's often a fuzzy demarcation between what should be added to an existing thread, and what deserves it's own. Not always clean cut. But as you say, it's up to our discretion. We're adults.

a reply to: carewemust

I added it to another existing thread Comey refuses to testify.

www.abovetopsecret.com...

I think nobody really searches ATS. They have a pet subject and think, "Hey, I'll start a thread!" not realizing somebody beat them to it hours, sometimes days, before.

A topic goes in the wrong forum and is not seen under the barrage of Mud Pit posting. "Haloes on Mars" thread for example is in Breaking News (maybe Other Current Events???) when it should be in Space Exploration.

The North Korea Watch is a great example of a tag-on thread for small discussions. I started the 2017 one after the 2016 thread ran out and there was not one for this year! Even after I clearly stated, "I am not going to monitor this thread..." people kept asking me questions, posting comments directed at me. Some people just don't "get it," is all I can think of.

When I see a couple threads on the same subject, I post to the earlier one figuring a poor mod will come in an close the newer one but even they miss one from time to time!

This is a great question! I like to take my time and make an interesting thread with a couple sources. Other times, I search and only find a pre-2012 thread. Seeing as my timeline shifted that year, I tend to stay away from those for good measure! LOL

It would make the Mods' lives easier! I for one am for that!

originally posted by: IgnoranceIsntBlisss

originally posted by: carewemust
When a subject is started, why do ATS members not continually add to it, as new developments arise?

It's an odd behavior in internet forums.

Back in my prior life as a forum moderator, the storage and bandwidth was costly. I constantly had to merge threads and delete posts that weren't "on topic".

Judging from the sheer volume of high quality uploaded photos, gifs and member avatars, it's apparent that AboveTopSecret.com is funded and organized very well. A breath of fresh air compared to the 1990's.

originally posted by: Sillyolme
a reply to: carewemust

I added it to another existing thread Comey refuses to testify.

www.abovetopsecret.com...

James Comey has a ton of threads.. I guess that means he's a "show boat", LOL.