I have a personal preference of not responding to old posts that have been dredged up from years ago. I used to read a post and respond without noticing the original posting date, but I believe it would help all Fodorites if we would check the date first. It seems useless to perpetuate a thread that started in 2003, for instance, and was recently dredged up and brought to the top by someone, either maliciously or innocently. Do others feel this way?

No. Sometimes travelers add on newer, updated information to correct what was fine at the time, but has changed. Sometimes a great post involves an annual event like the Tomato festival thing in Spain. You gotta admit, Wayne, that the huge ball of string in the midwest is a funny post, and there are others that are funnier that I am glad people dredged up for us newer members.

There seem to be a ton of redundant threads on here. I think it's fine to revive an old thread if it's done for informational reasons, rather than to stir things up. There must be a hundred new threads started a day, and many could be avoided by simply adding on to an older thread and asking for updated info. Do we really need 200 threads about lodging around Yellowstone (or some other popular place)? I think the threads outnumber the lodging options.

No. The ball of string got bigger since 2003 and has a new home.

If something does not interest you, just don't read it!

I don't agree.

The original poster is not the only person reading the responses for information. So, if someone adds info two years later, it just adds more info and/or updates earlier info.

I have the habit of not looking at the date of the original post, and along with many others find myself making long detailed suggestions of what to do or where to stay to someone who asked the question a year or two ago. Rats! But that's my fault.

At the same time, I tend to glance past the name of the person posting. Some here seem to focus on who said what rather than what was said. As a result of my not checking, I have found myself responding to posts that if I looked at the name I would have known it was a repeated troll for example.

I see nothing wrong with bringing up the old posts, but it does often seem that the person doing it would have better served his needs by starting all over with a new thread.

I remember responding to a post about ocean passage. I suggested the OP head for the best trading spots imaginable.
Some time passed, I realized the OP was dated 1492 and the entire world view had changed significantly.

ROTF, PamSF, love it!!! It is true, some post are rather old. Take care.

I don't object to topping old threads; some of them are pretty interesting. But I have learned to check the dates before responding to anything, so I don't give travel advice to someone who has been there and done that five years ago.

And thus, Pam coined the phrase "Go West Young Man!"

You gotta love Fodors!

Right on gang.

Wayne, you hit the nail on the head when you stated in your opening sentence that you "have a personal preference of not responding to old posts".

OK, guys/girls, before you put me in front of the firing squad, let me clarify what I tried to say. I meant that when a person asked a question two or three years ago, and the question itself was time-constrained (such as plans for "this summer" or "October of this year,") and the time has long since passed, it makes no sense to respond. I happily concur that some threads might be eternal, but I do think that most of those more than a year old are probably not worth reading or responding. Now shoot me.

Ahhhhhhh, see how it is, now?

PamSF, I bet that person that you advised didn't even write back afterwards and give a trip report to thank all the Fodorites for helping , did he?
Wayne, I feel like a jerk sometimes when I respond to something , THEN see the date they posted. But sometimes I guess it can be useful, even if that person took his trip and forgot it already, someone else out there will come along with the same questions..sort of like the question...What is ttt ? LOL

Well Scarlett, didn't you know that Columbus wasn't always considered the most polite person in the world, LOL. There are a lot of people upset about him to this day.

Wayne, in all seriousness, I agree however, what fun would life be if we couldn't poke fun at you?

I think we all get what you are saying.