When is it appropriate to start a new thread?

[polliwog]

With the full understanding that this is glaringly hypocritical since I'm starting a new thread about it (though I couldn't really find one that addressed this issue), I have sort of a use-of-LST question for you all. I really hope it doesn't come across as jerky or out of line!

One of the things I liked about this forum when I joined was that there were relatively few threads considering the amount of content on here, in contrast to others forums I've used. A lot of the longest-running threads on this board contain a ton of fascinating knowledge and first-hand experience from members, collectors and tattooers alike, who've come and gone, and when an old thread gets dug up and bumped to the top, to my mind it's a welcome chance to read through the archives. Trawling through pages of the Latest Tattoo Lowdown thread, the What Makes A Good Tattoo thread, etc etc blew my mind as a newbie. So, from there I'm wondering: when is it appropriate to start a new thread? What makes the board the most navigable for everybody? I guess I've already revealed my bias, but it seems like a discussion worth having.

Also: I'm not saying that new discussion doesn't add anything, more that it's maybe easier to forget what a wealth of information already exists here if it gets buried many pages back.

Obviously all bets are off in the random stuff area...

[Rad Kelham]

I started a duplicate thread, and here's why: the search function on the mobile app (tapatalk) doesn't work. I don't have a computer aside from my phone and tablet, so searching for threads isn't an option. Perhaps other people are in this boat too.

[polliwog]

Wow, I had no idea the tapatalk search function doesn't work. (I'm in the opposite situation, no smartphone or tablet.) I hope you didn't feel called out, btw, as this wasn't the intention of my post! With a board this size some duplication is inevitable.

[knucklehead211]

I'm guilty of starting threads for simple questions, but I try to only do it if it's something specific I haven't seen asked before. But I'm still pretty new.

[polliwog]

I should mention I totally did not start this thread with the goal of making anyone feel bad - if it turns into that, I hope it can be locked. I'm mostly wondering, probably ineptly, about how to organize all the information on here.

[Dan]

so here is my input,this is a "discussion" forum,as long as the thread is put in the appropriate forum or sub forum IMO it should be ok,but unfortunately some people think they are mods when they are not,and feel they need to police the boards,if a rule is broken then a "moderator' will let you know,otherwise,as adults in a public discussion group we should be able to post ANY questions or thoughts without fear.Threads don't take up much server space and if anyone doesn't like a topic then they shouldn't look at it.

[Dustingormley]

so here is my input,this is a "discussion" forum,as long as the thread is put in the appropriate forum or sub forum IMO it should be ok,but unfortunately some people think they are mods when they are not,and feel they need to police the boards,if a rule is broken then a "moderator' will let you know,otherwise,as adults in a public discussion group we should be able to post ANY questions or thoughts without fear.Threads don't take up much server space and if anyone doesn't like a topic then they shouldn't look at it.

Unless thus thread is related to specific techniques which should be taken care of immediately.

[DavidR]

One of the things I liked about this forum when I joined was that there were relatively few threads considering the amount of content on here, in contrast to others forums I've used. A lot of the longest-running threads on this board contain a ton of fascinating knowledge and first-hand experience from members, collectors and tattooers alike, who've come and gone, and when an old thread gets dug up and bumped to the top, to my mind it's a welcome chance to read through the archives. Trawling through pages of the Latest Tattoo Lowdown thread, the What Makes A Good Tattoo thread, etc etc blew my mind as a newbie.

For what it's worth, my experience of this board has been the same as yours. I learned more about tattoos, tattooers, my role as a client, styles, what makes a good tattoo (and a bad one), and what I want in terms of my tattoos from reading four threads on this board than I had in weeks of flailing about on the internet. When I do finally get inked, I know that the quality of work I get and my satisfaction with it will be vastly improved by having found this board.

I too like to see old threads resurrected when the new post continues that thread. When the new post does not fit perfectly then I prefer to see a new thread lest the old one get sidetracked. Having said that, I feel that tattooing is a topic with depth but not a whole lot of breadth; it doesn't need that many threads and I think the board is the better for it. I do not feel that this board has a lot of threads and I find things easy to find. The search function could be better but that's the case for the search function on every board I've ever frequented.

While I'm new, it does feel like the board is undergoing a population explosion at the moment and a lot of new threads are being created by newer members. Maybe the guidance that all new members are given as part of the registration process could point them to a sticky listing the high-traffic threads and some guidance as to which thread common post-types are best suited to.

TL;DR: Don't start a new thread unless you absolutely must.

[RoryQ]

I like long, consolidated threads ... But there's also a case to be made for closing really long-running ones and starting a sequel thread.

On another forum I'm on this is the done thing and I think it does add to their readability.

I've been here a long time and actually I probably wouldn't mind re-reading 5-6 pages of a resurrected thread but if it's 10+ it's probably not going to happen. I'm sure newcomers aren't reading some of the bigger threads from scratch. And if you dip in towards the end some of them are "cruising" with updates - the keystone posts might be scattered earlier on.

Not that it's a big deal either way. Things seem to be working OK.

[tatB]

if i get annoyed by a new thread it is just a sign that i spend too much time here.

[Tornado6]

I don't know, I think blogs and webpages are a better format for archival data than a discussion forum. This is a fairly static forum because everybody is always so concerned about what everyone else is posting. I am 'older' and I realize that the Internet just doesn't work like the old threaded bulletin boards we used to use. A lot of people just want an answer without wading through 700 pages of out of date material.

[xcom]

so here is my input,this is a "discussion" forum,as long as the thread is put in the appropriate forum or sub forum IMO it should be ok,but unfortunately some people think they are mods when they are not,and feel they need to police the boards,if a rule is broken then a "moderator' will let you know,otherwise,as adults in a public discussion group we should be able to post ANY questions or thoughts without fear.Threads don't take up much server space and if anyone doesn't like a topic then they shouldn't look at it.

+1 This! ^^ To much of this happens around here...

[Graeme]

If you've started more threads than you have tattoos, it's too much.

[Rad Kelham]

So if you have a bodysuit you're only allowed 1?

[SeeSea]

Well, I disagree that anyone should post anything they want without fear, and this notion of policing.

I'm not interested in a forum where there is random spewing of whatever someone wants without some thought about the atmosphere of the forum. Just because it's the internet doesn't make it the wild wild west - that's why so many other forums suck. And just because it's public doesn't mean it's fair game. And just because it's public doesn't mean that this site doesn't cost someone money to run...and they sorta get a say about how things go.

If someone isn't interested in lurking and checking the place out, and getting a feel for the atmosphere and expectations, then move along. Think of it like a big gathering, party, club ... there are always some social "rules" you need to be aware of. Standing in the middle of the room and announcing that you don't like the social rules doesn't endear you to anyone, and you will likely be ignored, given the hint, or escorted to the door.

If it's topical news, start a thread. Make sure it goes in the right sub-forum. If it's not interesting or the issue is resolved, the thread will naturally die off. If it's clear the poster hasn't wandered around here and gotten a feel (e.g., "what inks should I be using"), then yes, people will get testy, because the poster didn't read the guidelines. If it's genuine, no one is going to get bent. If you cop an attitude or appear to be coming to the party ready to be offended, then prepare to get "policed."

$0.02.

[xcom]

Well, I disagree that anyone should post anything they want without fear, and this notion of policing.

I'm not interested in a forum where there is random spewing of whatever someone wants without some thought about the atmosphere of the forum. Just because it's the internet doesn't make it the wild wild west - that's why so many other forums suck. And just because it's public doesn't mean it's fair game. And just because it's public doesn't mean that this site doesn't cost someone money to run...and they sorta get a say about how things go.

If someone isn't interested in lurking and checking the place out, and getting a feel for the atmosphere and expectations, then move along. Think of it like a big gathering, party, club ... there are always some social "rules" you need to be aware of. Standing in the middle of the room and announcing that you don't like the social rules doesn't endear you to anyone, and you will likely be ignored, given the hint, or escorted to the door.

If it's topical news, start a thread. Make sure it goes in the right sub-forum. If it's not interesting or the issue is resolved, the thread will naturally die off. If it's clear the poster hasn't wandered around here and gotten a feel (e.g., "what inks should I be using"), then yes, people will get testy, because the poster didn't read the guidelines. If it's genuine, no one is going to get bent. If you cop an attitude or appear to be coming to the party ready to be offended, then prepare to get "policed."

$0.02.

Than this should not be a public forum, And if you rather run a forum where I have to search thousands of threads to make sure that what I want to post it has not been posted 20 pages down to avoid a dick comment than, I am out.

And forum rules? They get broken constantly by senior and all member's here including my self.

By the way I didn't know that it was a rule to search forum before making new thread.

[Patrick Bateman]

@xcom

Nailed it

EDIT:::

@Rad Kelham

had me laughing about the 1 bodysuit hahahah

[Rad Kelham]

Here's my $.02, and I mean no disrespect to the OP here. I can't stand it when people play tattle tale and/or get off on enforcing rules in online forums. I've seen people get banned in other groups (non tattoo related) for breaking trivial rules (often out of ignorance) and in all cases it was due to overzealous mods and tattle tales who get off on having some amount of control on an online forum (probably because they lack control of anything important in their real life).

Tattooing has never been about blind obedience and following rules. Let people post what they want - within reason of course.

[xcom]

Here's my $.02, and I mean no disrespect to the OP here. I can't stand it when people play tattle tale and/or get off on enforcing rules in online forums. I've seen people get banned in other groups (non tattoo related) for breaking trivial rules (often out of ignorance) and in all cases it was due to overzealous mods and tattle tales who get off on having some amount of control on an online forum (probably because they lack control of anything important in their real life).

Tattooing has never been about blind obedience and following rules. Let people post what they want - within reason of course.

+1 This.

[polliwog]

By the way I didn't know that it was a rule to search forum before making new thread.

Meant non-snarkily, but here it is: Last Sparrow Tattoo - Forum Rules The search function is a little unwieldy, but I've had great luck with the advanced search options.

This thread certainly wasn't born out of a desire to tattle on anyone. It's really more about how to get information to people who are looking for it, since the answers to many questions already exist here. As a non-moderator and a relative newcomer, perhaps it isn't my place to start this discussion, though!

It took a little while to grow accustomed to some of the rules here, but I'm glad they exist.

[Rad Kelham]

I didn't mean you @polliwog. I got banned from a the "Buy Nothing Facebook" group a few weeks ago and I'm still mad about it!

[polliwog]

Hahahaha, oh man, Facebook groups... Yes, they definitely attract, um, enthusiastic people. I had to leave a group about makeup tips, of all things - done with trying to interact with anyone I don't know in person on Facebook.

[xcom]

Meant non-snarkily, but here it is: Last Sparrow Tattoo - Forum Rules The search function is a little unwieldy, but I've had great luck with the advanced search options.

Do use the search feature to make sure your question is not already answered in another thread, before posting. We want to avoid duplicate threads as much as possible.

Is that the rule?

Way offffffff! Than... By all means I can post all I want about my tattoos and post all the pics I want.... BUT cant cause the sharks would eat me alive.

[polliwog]

Wait, is anyone eating anyone alive? Most of the interactions on here are pretty respectful except in pretty extreme cases, like blatant trolling. I haven't been 100 percent on this but I can always do better.

[xcom]

Wait, is anyone eating anyone alive? Most of the interactions on here are pretty respectful except in pretty extreme cases, like blatant trolling. I haven't been 100 percent on this but I can always do better.

poilliwog,

It happens. I am going to leave it at that.

I am out of this one for now.