I think the thing to keep in mind is that it really helps us all in the long run if like-subject threads include links when possible to the past threads on that subject. It works well when it's done exactly as Sean did, and it depends on the memory and simple good will of active regulars to keep the older material in mind and take the time to build a link when they see the topic come up again. In that way, a thread like this very one becomes sort of a Part Next to the older one. And it is VERY helpful when researching something-- especially a song-- when this linking is available. What makes sense about it is that people can revert to that longer prior discussion and post there, to keep the material together in one thread as much as possible. What's really nice is when a link to the newer thread gets added to the older thread as a signpost saying where the discussion may have moved!

Peter, I don't know how you got all that out of what Sean said... what I got from what he is talking about is not the expiration by fiat of a topic, but the fact that new people find and participate in Mudcat and want to talk about the same things "we" have already been talking about. Since they have just arrived, they have no way of knowing what's been discussed, and no way of knowing they could renew the old conversation to continue it, short of shutting down their IRL activities for a month or two and reading up on all the old thread titles that have ever been created! Obviously when it is a song discussion, a title search can and should be done. But all the rest? How would you know what is being discussed without opening every old thread?

So Sean, I salute your approach.

~Susan