Answer me this conundrum

[Davey]

Okay example:

Thread A (2 years old, has not been posted since Jan 2006), with the question: what is the Yakuza. Replies: 20 with some good answers.

Thread B (New thread), with the question: What is the Yakuza?

What do you do as a mod?

Option 1. Merge the two threads, but you can't merge this thread into a thread where the question is already asked, because you will have people saying "look at the first post "

Option 2. Close the thread with the message "please use the search button, because there already is a thread about it *see this link".

Option 3. Answer the question without any comments on it (see option 1-2), but than you will have other members that will give those comments eventually.

Thank you for the story CC1.

 

[Elizabeth]

Okay example:

Thread A (2 years old, has not been posted since Jan 2006), with the question: what is the Yakuza. Replies: 20 with some good answers.

Thread B (New thread), with the question: What is the Yakuza?

What do you do as a mod?

Option 1. Merge the two threads, but you can't merge this thread into a thread where the question is already asked, because you will have people saying "look at the first post "

Option 2. Close the thread with the message "please use the search button, because there already is a thread about it *see this link".

Option 3. Answer the question without any comments on it (see option 1-2), but than you will have other members that will give those comments eventually.

Thank you for the story CC1.

Isn't it possible to do a merge appended with a comment where the first one leaves off and the second thread begins ? Most people aren't really that anal about this kind of thing I don't think. Believe it or not, they don't necessarily notice, follow or attend to each post in the same way a mod or admin might.

The main problem with merging becomes length, in which case the proportion of thorough, conscientious readers decreases dramatically. Create a sub(or sub) fora for each of the most asked questions is another excellent solution....