Forum feature suggestion: Necromancer alert (very old threads resurrected)

[city_zen]

Here's a feature that I think would be useful: show a warning/sign/whatever when a certain post in a thread is published more than 6 months/1 year after the previous post in the thread, i.e. when the thread has been "resurrected" by a(n unwitting?) Necromancer 
So you notice more clearly that there has been a biiiiiig gap in between posts.

I'm not sure if it can be done, but I decided to throw out the idea nonetheless.

What do you think?

[f0dder]

Sounds like a good idea - sometimes people forget to check the date of a thread before posting in it.

Not saying it can't be relevant to revive old threads instead of posting a new one, though, just that a little warning about "Hey, did you remember to check the date?" might be a good idea. Should be easy enough to do, there's already code to warn if somebody has made a reply to thread between you hit "reply" and "post".

[lanux128]

iirc, there used to be a warning in red letters that said "there hasn't been a reply in 120 (or 180) days, do you want to continue?". not sure if it's still available, though..

[city_zen]

Actually, I was thinking more about a permanent sign in the thread between two posts that are more than 6 months (or whatever) apart. It would be intended more towards the readers of the thread than the poster who resurrects it. So that when you're reading it (probably some time later) you notice more clearly the gap, without having to check the dates of every post.
It could perhaps be implemented by a script (or something similar) that automatically inserts a line or small warning post as threads reach 6 months of age without a post. The next time someone posts in that thread, the line/small warning post would remain there (between the previous post and the new post). Is it too far-fetched?

[app103]

How about if you drag up an old thread, your post will be preceded by a post containing this image? 

I am sure that will be quite noticeable.

If that is too large, it could always be a "user" with a similar avatar "posting" a necromancy spell, followed by the newer posts.

[f0dder]

If that is too large, it could always be a "user" with a similar avatar "posting" a necromancy spell, followed by the newer posts.

Haha, that's a nice idea - I love it!