Hello,
Does anyone know how long the window for replies to questions or advice remains open?
I realize threads can get long, but it would be easier to find answers when you’re following a specific thread, if members were allowed to post beyond the last-visited date.
Or maybe I am missing something…is there a way to start a new thread that links back to the old/original thread so that others can follow the bread crumbs to the answer or more help?
Thank you.
Good day!
We aren't the moderation team, but it appear that threads remain unlocked for about three months. This is not official but rather my observation.
As for replies to newly posted questions, there is no time frame. Everyone here is a volunteer; we answer on a time-available basis. Some questions are beyond the scope of these user-to-user forums and go unanswered. Some fail to include enough background info for anyone to form a useful response.
…is there a way to start a new thread that links back to the old/original thread so that others can follow the bread crumbs to the answer or more help?
What you describe can be easily done but would be ineffective in this setting. After a very long time here, I've observed that few people who post a question will come back weeks or months later to see if new responses have been added.
The other issue is that our tech changes so rapidly that answering a 2-year old post today could give inapplicable advice.
Recommendations for being an effective helper here:
—Don't use a search engine to come here. Too often they will lead you to locked ancient threads.
—Bookmark this Apple site map showing all forum topic areas: Site Map - Apple Community
—From that list, find the topic areas where you feel you can best contribute.
—Use the site map links to go that those topic lists.
—Work the NEWEST questions first. That is the first 1-4 pages, depending on how fast new questions appear. In Using iPhone, they appear at a rate of one ever 2-5 minutes. For pre-2006 iMac (PPC) it takes a close to a year to fill one page.
Look for this banner near the top of a locked discussion:
I look forward to seeing you in the forums.
AJ
Good day!
We aren't the moderation team, but it appear that threads remain unlocked for about three months. This is not official but rather my observation.
As for replies to newly posted questions, there is no time frame. Everyone here is a volunteer; we answer on a time-available basis. Some questions are beyond the scope of these user-to-user forums and go unanswered. Some fail to include enough background info for anyone to form a useful response.
…is there a way to start a new thread that links back to the old/original thread so that others can follow the bread crumbs to the answer or more help?
What you describe can be easily done but would be ineffective in this setting. After a very long time here, I've observed that few people who post a question will come back weeks or months later to see if new responses have been added.
The other issue is that our tech changes so rapidly that answering a 2-year old post today could give inapplicable advice.
Recommendations for being an effective helper here:
—Don't use a search engine to come here. Too often they will lead you to locked ancient threads.
—Bookmark this Apple site map showing all forum topic areas: Site Map - Apple Community
—From that list, find the topic areas where you feel you can best contribute.
—Use the site map links to go that those topic lists.
—Work the NEWEST questions first. That is the first 1-4 pages, depending on how fast new questions appear. In Using iPhone, they appear at a rate of one ever 2-5 minutes. For pre-2006 iMac (PPC) it takes a close to a year to fill one page.
Look for this banner near the top of a locked discussion:
I look forward to seeing you in the forums.
AJ
Thank you AJ!
Your reply was very helpful and I am grateful for your time and the information!
’Hope to ‘see’ you around here in the future and thanks again.
~ flutter
PS: I like your (Memoji’s) hat. 😀
Time frame for replies
