Suggestion regarding Closed Threads

[emsr2d2]

I think once before I asked if something could be done to make Closed Threads clearer. I can't remember what I suggested but I know that the reasons for not doing whatever it was I suggested made perfect sense. However, I've had another idea!

It's based on the fact that, especially when using the forum on my phone, the padlock sign is so tiny that it's invisible so several times I've found myself reading 6 or 7 posts in a thread and only discovering it's closed when I reach the bottom and try to post a response.

I believe the mods/admins can edit a thread title. Would it be possible, when closing a thread, to just add
"(Thread closed)" after the title so that it's really obvious to everyone?

Just an idea.

Thanks.

[charliedeut]

Or maybe changing the color of the icon before the message (so it becomes visually very different from unread/read posts)? (or combining both).

Thanks.

charliedeut

PS: Probably Barb_D (among others) will also take fair adavantage if the change took place!

[5jj]

On my computer screen the words 'Closed Thread' appear just above the first message. Do they not on your phone screen?

[Raymott]

There also seem to be a lot more closed threads lately. Some of them seem totally benign and still useful. Is it also possible to have a short reason for why they were closed and who closed them?
Then again, perhaps that's none of my business.

[charliedeut]

Is it also possible to have a short reason for why they were closed and who closed them?
Then again, perhaps that's none of my business.

Hi Raymott. Most of the times, the administrator/moderator closing the thread will post somthing like "Thread closed. Started by clone of banned user." Although somtimes they are left open if they feel the thread may still prove fruitful.

Some other times they are closed because the main question has been answered and the new posts in the thread add nothing of worth. In this case, also, the administrator/moderator will usually say so when closing the thread.

As for me, if I find a closed thread that I feel shouldn't have been, I know I can PM the administrator/moderator who closed it to see why (if really needed to know) and/or ask them to reopen it.

charliedeut

PS: That's just what I've noticed so far. Probably administrators/moderators will provide more thorough input if needed.

[5jj]

There also seem to be a lot more closed threads lately. Some of them seem totally benign and still useful. Is it also possible to have a short reason for why they were closed and who closed them?

These threads are usually closed by one of the moderators. Many of them have been started by one of our regular trolls. Generally, we do give the reason - 'clone of banned user' - though if it's started two or three in one day we may, in our impatience, overlook this.

The problem for members is that many of these threads start innocently, but this particular troll seems to delight in asking ever more niggling questions, wasting the time of people who respond. We often catch it while it is still apparently harmless, which is why it may seem that we have closed a useful thread.

Occasionally OPs close their own threads. Unless a very good reason is given for this, I generally re-open these if I spot them. It's frustrating for members to be unable to contribute to an interesting thread.

[emsr2d2]

On my computer screen the words 'Closed Thread' appear just above the first message. Do they not on your phone screen?

They only appear once I have actually clicked on the thread title from the main Ask a Teacher screen, but when I'm looking at the list I just get all the icons down the left (where the padlock is too small to see) and the thread title. Frequently, when I click on the thread title, I almost immediately scroll a little further down the screen so I can get as much of the actual post on my screen as possible. Admittedly, that does mean I'm basically scrolling past the words Closed Thread at the top without even seeing it. The thing is, when I'm out and about and using 3G not WiFi, it takes quite a while to load a page, so if I could avoid even clicking on the thread title and pointlessly loading the page, that would save a lot of time. If the thread title read "To Do or To Make - (Thread Closed)" I wouldn't bother opening it at all.

[Tdol]

There also seem to be a lot more closed threads lately. Some of them seem totally benign and still useful. Is it also possible to have a short reason for why they were closed and who closed them?
Then again, perhaps that's none of my business.

If I close a thread, I post to say so. Some users close threads when they have an answer. Like 5jj, I re-open these if I see them. There's no thread-shutting campaign going on.

Some from our persistent troll are closed- if the OP is banned, it's her again.

[Tdol]

Will ask the Webmaster about the closed icon.

[Raymott]

There's no thread-shutting campaign going on.

No, I wasn't trying to imply that. But sometimes, I see what appears to be a sensible question which I'd like to answer, then I notice that the thread's closed. Anyway, I'm sure there's a reason, even though it's not always obvious.