Curiouser and curiouser. Threads say they are locked but they are not? The lock icons disappear and no one wants to step up to the plate and take credit/blame?
schlimm So once again, we have the phenomenon of a thread appearing to be locked by the posters when it really isn't. So what's the point of that supposed feature? As I'm writing this post, I don't see any magic button that would allow me to lock it. Perhaps it is just convenient? And it also appears the main "whiners" are the folks who complain about a repetitive thread they dislike, including a former moderator.
So once again, we have the phenomenon of a thread appearing to be locked by the posters when it really isn't. So what's the point of that supposed feature? As I'm writing this post, I don't see any magic button that would allow me to lock it. Perhaps it is just convenient?
And it also appears the main "whiners" are the folks who complain about a repetitive thread they dislike, including a former moderator.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Bucyrus What is the functional purpose of the forum allowing posters to lock their own threads?
I suspect it is there to increase the number of complaints and pot-shots taken at poor, overworked, underpaid forum moderators who'd much rather be down in the basement tinkering with their layouts...
Oops, did I say that out loud???
(Shrug) I don't know what it's true purpose is. I can only surmise that perhaps it allows individual posters to control the ability to respond to their own posts, inside the context of a larger thread-- perhaps to minimize the ability of a respondent to directly quote from portions of the post? Maybe it has some other function that is simply disabled by the site administrators. I know there are a number of feature packs that are disabled here on this site. (Or else perhaps they are add-on components which were never added-on)
Bucyrus And how exactly does this work? In my Nevada thread, some posts were shown as being locked, but the rest of the posts in the thread remained unlocked, and gave no displayed indication of being locked.
When you make a post (or a reply) you have the option of checking a box near the bottom that says "Locked: Do not allow replies". As far as I know it is functionless-- unless it locks replies to that one and only post, but I don't think that's the case. You all can experiment with it if you want and find out. But I do know that in any case, it does not interfere with posting / replying to the rest of the thread, assuming it has not been locked by the moderator.
Bucyrus However, those locked posts were actually locked against reply, rather than just displaying an indication of being locked. For a time, when those few posts were locked, the thread title on the forum page did not indicate any locked status.
See above comment-- feel free to experiment with it and find out. It does not affect the whole thread, unless maybe it is the initial post. And I'm just guessing, cause I haven't ever tried it.
Bucyrus When you informed me that the thread was not actually locked, I posted that fact on the thread. Then, following that post, the locked message with the thread title on the page disappeared.
Unless one of the other moderators did something (which I doubt, I think I was the only one up at the time) whatever the behavior was simply how the site / that feature works.
BucyrusI am just curious about how this works. Is this just a software problem or is there some functionality behind this?
Beats me. All good questions. Maybe we should form an exploratory committee...?
John
Murphy Siding My experience as a "former moderator", is that the locking function is a major glitch in th the software. Apparantly, the way it's supposed to work, is that the moderators have the ability to lock a thread. Individual posters are given an option to mark a *locked* box on their own post.
My experience as a "former moderator", is that the locking function is a major glitch in th the software. Apparantly, the way it's supposed to work, is that the moderators have the ability to lock a thread. Individual posters are given an option to mark a *locked* box on their own post.
I have looked at several threads and tried to see if I could lock. However, the magical "locked" box or button never appears. Where is it supposed to be?
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Now i see it. Only on "reply" rather then "quick reply." I removed the lock.
Murphy Siding The downside is, the lock function only work correctly about half the time, yet the moderators catch heat for it all of the time. If you see a thread locked by a moderator, it generally will have a last comment by that moderator. If not, there's a prettty good chance the software is ginked up again. If you're not sure, use the Report Abuse function, and send the moderators a message
The downside is, the lock function only work correctly about half the time, yet the moderators catch heat for it all of the time. If you see a thread locked by a moderator, it generally will have a last comment by that moderator. If not, there's a prettty good chance the software is ginked up again. If you're not sure, use the Report Abuse function, and send the moderators a message
Actually what Norris is saying is correct-- but one way to tell if a thread is "really" locked or not, is to go look at the first post in the thread. If it and all the subsequent posts have the lock symbol, then it was locked by the moderator-- plus, as Norris said, the moderators generally toss in a pithy last post just to tweak your noses a bit, you know-- 'cause they can....
Darn it, did I say that out loud too?? I've really gotta work on that...
Buttons are fun.
Bow before me and respect my mighty lock of awesomeness!
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
zugmann Buttons are fun. Bow before me and respect my mighty lock of awesomeness!
Um, thanks. I think I'll stand...
It appears to be a totally stupid designed feature, not a glitch. However, my previous comment stands about not locking threads and the usual trio or quartet of folks who whine about those who oppose locking and wish to halt repetitive threads. If you don't like a thread, why not move on to one you do?
Who's afraid of the big, bad wolf?
schlimm It appears to be a totally stupid designed feature, not a glitch. However, my previous comment stands about not locking threads and the usual trio or quartet of folks who whine about those who oppose locking and wish to halt repetitive threads. If you don't like a thread, why not move on to one you do?
Gee Howey, where would be the fun in that?
Just a little test in replying to a post that is indicated as being locked, and actually is locked:
Zug.
That's ONE locked thread, ha ha ha.... that's TWO locked threads, ha ha ha... that's THREE locked threads...
(Rolling eyes)
I see this is gonna be the next hour's entertainment...
What about the folks who whine about those who whine about those who oppose locking and wish to halt repetitive threads?
jwhitten zugmann: Buttons are fun. Bow before me and respect my mighty lock of awesomeness! Um, thanks. I think I'll stand... John
zugmann: Buttons are fun. Bow before me and respect my mighty lock of awesomeness!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
My awsomeness lock has been defeated! Curse your supreme moderator power ups!
My only solution is to retreat and strike again when the foamerdom comet returns in 3 years!
zugmann jwhitten: zugmann: Buttons are fun. Bow before me and respect my mighty lock of awesomeness! Um, thanks. I think I'll stand... John NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! My awsomeness lock has been defeated! Curse your supreme moderator power ups! My only solution is to retreat and strike again when the foamerdom comet returns in 3 years!
jwhitten:
zugmann schlimm: It appears to be a totally stupid designed feature, not a glitch. However, my previous comment stands about not locking threads and the usual trio or quartet of folks who whine about those who oppose locking and wish to halt repetitive threads. If you don't like a thread, why not move on to one you do? What about the folks who whine about those who whine about those who oppose locking and wish to halt repetitive threads?
schlimm: It appears to be a totally stupid designed feature, not a glitch. However, my previous comment stands about not locking threads and the usual trio or quartet of folks who whine about those who oppose locking and wish to halt repetitive threads. If you don't like a thread, why not move on to one you do?
Simple. Execute the first whiners.
I think we've reached the level of Shakespearean literature: "Much Ado About Nothing."
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
zugmannWhat about the folks who whine about those who whine about those who oppose locking and wish to halt repetitive threads?
I feel the need to post a response...but am I ever confused now.
Done!
Undone. It appears as though the very next post will unlock the thread.
Once someone else looks at that last post, it appears unlocked in the general index.
When I simply looked at the post, the locked symbol turned from red & gray to all gray. Once I posted on it, the locked symbol disappeared completely.
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