I think the old threads are there to be used as a resource. They should be thought of in just that way, a resource, not the final word. If they are of no value to the new poster, then we might as well let the powers that be dump everything over a year old or some other arbitrary time. It would sure make things easier for them. If a certain person posts a brilliant discussion of a particular song, why not point the new person who asks about it in that direction? I can see why that particular person would not want to go through it all again. Been there, done that is appropriate sometimes. I completely agree with those who suggest that a polite pointing in the right direction is adequate. It is an act of politeness in my opinion that someone took the time to tell the new person where the information is. It would be pretty easy to just ignore the "8 bazillionth 7 drunken nights" request. If someone doesn't care to read that earlier work, some of which can be thought of as definitive scholarship in my opinion, let them dig up the facts and write their own. I am sorry if that sounds rude. I don't mean it to be. If you check you'll see that there are lively discussions that have been going off and on for a long time. People old and new add to the knowledge, sometimes in old threads sometimes in new ones. Another choice would be to throw the old rascals out and let the new pups take over. Would that be the solution? I don't think so. I read a whole lot more than I post and I learn from what I read, both old and new posters, old and new threads. Let others do the same. When I think I have something to add to the discussion I will add it. Here's another thought along the same lines. What do we do when we've got all the songs? Not really all the songs, but maybe all the songs from a certain song book, from a certain writer, from a particular singer, what then? Do we just close all the threads and say here it is? No, there will always be something worth talking about. Try harder to get along with each other and the way things work. It is still the best there is. You won't find it any better somewhere else.