account retired two days ago - what means it?

https://permies.com/t/135257/small-permaculture-farm-start-senegal

The above thread had the OP account "retired" two days ago but the thread looks more or less reasonable.  Some text from the OP (her name) may hint that the account name was changed, but that is really unknown.

If the account was killed for misbehavior, I my interest ends - I don't really worry about those decisions. If the account was killed by the owner, again I lose interest in the details - but it might be nice to  know that was what happened. However IF the account was redefined and still exists but posts under the original name do not forward or otherwise reference the new account, that would seem something that could be handled better.

Regards,
Rufus

Uh...

OT here, but: The "these threads have been linked to this post" blurb page (paraphrased, since I can't display that page again)  that displayed after I submitted the above kinda makes no sense. Nada, Zed, none-at-all. Certainly the listed thread-links don't seem to relate in the slightest.  

Just sayin'...



Rufus

That's something on the list of things to fix.

In this case, it looks like the user is having trouble adjusting to the Real Sounding Name Policy and their name is hidden until they choose a better name.  One day we hope to improve the text that is shown when the name is hidden to link back to the naming policy or something like that.

From reading that post, it looks like more than one person is using an account - which also doesn't meet the real sounding name policy.  

Rufus Laggren wrote:Uh...

OT here, but: The "these threads have been linked to this post" blurb page (paraphrased, since I can't display that page again)  that displayed after I submitted the above kinda makes no sense. Nada, Zed, none-at-all. Certainly the listed thread-links don't seem to relate in the slightest.  

I don't quite follow what you're saying.

> follow...

A page displayed when I "Submitted" my original post in this thread that appeared completely unrelated to _anything_ in either this forum or my post content or topic. I really  can't imagine what it was supposed to do or mean.

It said something like "these threads have been linked to your topic  (or "to your post"? I can't remember and can't get that page to display again).  It showed a list of 4 or 5 links to the right which had nothing to do with the topic; on the bottom left it displayed text asking if I wanted to add another link and provided a text box to do this.

Say what?  I create a thread with a specific question about the functioning of this site and the site (apparently) automatically creates meaningless links to my post (or thread?) completely unrelated to the thread topic...  That is quite unexpected and confusing.

The page also had, at the top, text saying the thread had been created and also a button to "see the thread" or some such (I clicked that button and it did indeed take me to my new post). It appears that this page displays by design upon submitting the first post of a new topic (just guessing here), at least in this forum. A total non sequitur. Very, very strange.


Regards,
Rufus


Rufus

I think you're talking about the Similar Threads that can be seen when you make a new thread, as well as down below the thread. These are automatically generated by a program. Sometimes the program does well....and sometimes it kind of stinks.

In the case of this thread, the automatically generated "similar threads" are:

Extreme Saying

Playing "devil's advocate" on the mortgage debt issue.

help me break up with my lawnmower

Am I ready to make the leap?

predators/humans in permaculture

And, you're right, these really don't seem to have anything to do with your post. The program kind of failed here. Though, I admit, I can't think of a thread off the top of my head that would fit better. So, I can't really blame the program.

But, thankfully, we can (though we rarely have the time to) manually change the similar threads to ones we think are a lot more relevant. Generally, this only happens if a moderator is interested/knowledgeable about the subject and has a spare moment. Frankly that happens a lot more threads about gardening or building, etc.

But, if you have a thread and see the Similar Threads are totally unrelated, you could click the "report button" and ask a moderator nicely to add some of those to the similar threads. Someone might just have time to do it, especially since you did the footwork!

I hope this helps explain things a bit!

Ah, the similar threads at the bottom.

It pulls ideas out of your post and other factors to show threads that might be related.  You used the word "retired" so some of the threads are about money and retirement.  Not sure how it picked the lawnmower thread - it's a pretty complicated algorithm and part of it's based on thread boost.


I suspect you can change what shows by buying thread boost.

Ha! And since I just mentioned those threads in my post, the system removed them from the Similar Threads, and picked some other ones...which hillariously aren't any more relevant .  

Thanks guys. That's it, I think - vaguely recall the phrase "similar threads"... I think. Golly, don't go looking for more work, especially for something silly like this.  It was just that it was sooo strange.


Cheers,
Rufus