Do you close sticky threads, e.g. rules, on your forum?

[Fergal]

When you post sticky topics on your forum, such as rules topics or guidelines on how to use the forum, do you close those topics or leave them open?

I sometimes leave them open, but sometimes members can reply to them in a way that is not helpful to other members. That would not normally be an issue, but when it is in a sticky topic it could receive thousands of views and be seen every time a member or guest looks at your rules.

 

[Eternal]

I always close my rules threads.

 

[Jerbear]

I keep them open so users can comment on them.

 

[Geoffrey]

I always close them. Users don't NEED to comment on them. 😉

 

[Fergal]

Thanks everyone, there are some different views on this one 🙂

 

[Migi]

I usually close them, but honestly I don't really have reasons to do so. In another forum I go to some are locked some are not. It doesn't matter either way. It gives them a chance to ask questions about the rules if the thread is open, or we can tell them to send us a PM if the thread is locked. I don't think anyone would actually post in a rules thread though, except spam bots. XD

 

[Geoffrey]

I usually close them, but honestly I don't really have reasons to do so. In another forum I go to some are locked some are not. It doesn't matter either way. It gives them a chance to ask questions about the rules if the thread is open, or we can tell them to send us a PM if the thread is locked. I don't think anyone would actually post in a rules thread though, except spam bots. XD

I think FP alone proves that theory wrong. Look in the employment forum for example, that topic is open (or was last I looked) and has several pages of legit members discussing it and asking questions.

 

[Saskia]

Hi everyone,
I always close such posts but I always say at the end of these posts that the members can always message me directly if they have any feedback or question about them.

 

[thedudeman]

If it's a rule or regulation, I close it. Not because I don't want people to be able to ask questions or object, but I want the thread to look clean and easy to read.

If it's a sticky about a new feature or something, I leave it open.

 

[VirusZero]

For my rules, I close them without exception. I don't want non-staff posting in the rules. Rules really aren't up for debate or commenting on within their own thread (and to me leaving them open like that implies they are). They're posted for people to read and follow. If someone has a question, suggestion or concern about my forum's rules, I have plenty of other methods for them to voice them. (Whether it's via our feedback/question/suggestion section, personal message on the forum, email or anonymously by Google Survey.)
This keeps the rules short, sweet and free from questions and comments that really have no place in them.

For announcements I generally leave them open so people can leave feedback on what they think. But I have gone back and closed older announcement to keep people from bumping old announcements that no longer have relevance. (I mean there isn't much point to bumping a 2 year old announcement to say "Thanks" or "Cool idea.")

Similarly, I tend to close suggestion threads dealing with details that users decide on once that suggestion has been implemented. Since there really isn't any point for them to comment on how <X> should be configured 6 months after I've already set it up and we've been using it. (Which is something I've seen people on post exchanges do... )

 

[Acorn]

I usually close'em, because people will start asking questions on them and others usually won't see those questions. Instead I leave a link to our help board so they can ask them there, and get seen faster.

 

[Fergal]

Thanks for the replies. I do like the idea of keeping announcements open and closing rules threads. The idea of including a link in them to a help forum section is also great.