I'd just be happy if there was an auto lock after x days with no posts system and the OP could reopen if they need to. I always want to check threads I've posted in for replies directed @ me and it is a real pain when dead threads are bumped for no reason.
The problem with this is: threads that are needed to be locked are the ones which receives regular posts, thus, those will not get locked.
Using that "
auto-lock" feature will help
necro-posting but
not the spam problem.
Together with automatic or moderated "
report spam" and...
Including the
Author's Rank,
Last Active Date and new
Poster's Rank to the basis might lessen the harm on thread locking automation.
Examples:
- The threads of a Newbie-Member account which last login date was a year ago needs to be "soft-locked" after X period of time, only Full members or above can post a reply triggering "unlock" to the thread. That way, necro-posting newbies cannot revive an old thread, only established members can.
- A thread of an active Full Member was reported as "spam thread" (can be automated or moderated), the Author will receive a notification about a request to lock his thread. Since the Author is active, he can receive and respond to that notification, this can apply to active newbies and members as well.
- A thread of an inactive Full Member was reported as "spam thread", the thread will be "soft-locked" but will not be automatically locked.
In regards to the notification, it could be a warning for a read-only or ban-able offence in extreme case scenarios.
Still, the best way is to get this moderated by responding to "
lock this thread" reports, but that's much of a hassle for Moderators.