I know why it's done, but something bothers me about them.  Most of us are find out about new topics because of the recent topics bar.  But it won't show up if starts a new conversation in a merged topic, so it won't get much attention.  I asked a question and then it got merged with other topics of the same subject and now no one who comes on the site after the merge will know that the question even exists.  I'm not saying that we shouldn't have merged topics, I'm just wondering if anyone else feels this way?

I don't think this has ever happened to me, but i know how i would feel if that happened.

I don't mind it. I just check all of the new content so I'll see the topic anyway if it's been merged.

Yes, kinda. I mean, some topics should be merged or simply locked, but I feel like sometimes, when we want to bring them back in some way, a question like you said, or just a discussion, I think it should be left there. Most times, the other topic is pretty much dead, and we may have an interest in discussing it once more. New opinions or new members may need to be added, but them dat old thread is brought back, and end of the discussion, because no one wants to search for it...

It's nothing that serious perhaps, because that doesn 't happen that often, but it bothers me a little. Very little.

I've never had the problem, I usually search for solutions and topics first before I bother making one

I have some experience with dealing with that. However, I don't mind it much.

It's not a big deal to me, I mean it can get annoying when I follow my topic to see what people say and then when it's merged i'll get notifications like crazy

I agree, another reason that I don't like merged topics much, are some topics are about a topic within a video game or what not, and then they get merged with the general topic or another topic of the same game and I just don't like that much D:

It's not a big deal to me, I mean it can get annoying when I follow my topic to see what people say and then when it's merged i'll get notifications like crazy

This, your Sonic Adventure topic got merged and so my response without quoting you seems random.

 

Edit: Caps.

Edited January 19, 201312 yr by Indecypher

I hope I'm not junior modding by saying this but it's usually done for organizational purposes, otherwise it just looks like spam.Maybe make a status about it, to promote the merged thread?

I hope I'm not junior modding by saying this but it's usually done for organizational purposes, otherwise it just looks like spam. Maybe make a status about it, to promote the merged thread?

 

I thought you were a mod ever since I was active on this site .____.'

I hope I'm not junior modding by saying this but it's usually done for organizational purposes, otherwise it just looks like spam. Maybe make a status about it, to promote the merged thread?

 

It's alright, Genn.

 

Anyway, if you've got a question that's supposed to go on a topic already created then just reply to that topic with the question. The topic will go to the top of that forum. 

 

It's also better to have your topic merged than to have it locked.

This is really two separate issues, we have 1. duplicate topics, topics about the same question, being merged, and 2. topics in Video Games and Media being merged into "general" topics. I'll address both things and feel free to disagree with reasons.

 

1. I think it makes sense to merge topics when they're about the exact same thing. If the nature of the question hasn't changed (ie. by new information appearing), then there's no reason that the responses to this question or discussion topic from months ago shouldn't be considered. Otherwise, we just have people repeating the same points that were made in the last topic. I understand the honour of being in the Recent Topics, but perhaps we should reserve that honour for people actually making original topics.

 

2. The danger with allowing new topics for every little thing in Video Games and Media is that the forums end up looking like this-- "check out the 8th trailer for Sonic Adventure 2849", "check out this random single Glee video", "how do I do this really specific thing in Persona?" Now, this is okay if you like these things. But imagine it from the perspective of someone who doesn't like Sonic or Glee or Persona. The forums become completely boring to those people, as the topics are too specialised. This is why I think general topics are needed.