How do you know when a thread is dead?

[RivrCtyStrmr]

Hello All:

Our "newbie-ness" is showing. This is only our second-ever thread. How do you know when to leave a dying or dead thread and pick up a new thread? What is the general protocol for this in the forums? It seems as if everyone reads what is newly written and then some may be searching for certain specific info elsewhere.

A related query: what do folks think makes for an informative and well written thread? How important are pictures? What kinds of threads generate the most interest and have the most staying power? Since this forum is all about communication maybe this will help improve our sense of how it's done. Please respond and let us know your view on this.

Thanks and still trying to get going with our "new" 69 Caravel,

Stephen & Allison

[overlander63]

Generally, when the last post in a thread is several years old, it is better to start a new thread, than to try to resurrect the old one. Times change, people move on, new items come on markets. Answers to questions may even change according to the season of the year.
As far as what constitutes a good thread, or post, it usually should be informative, may contain pictures, and be readable. The saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words. This is not to say a post or thread has to be all business, either. Many of the more popular threads and forums members go off on tangents, and head to places never dreamed of when the thread first starts. (not that I'd know anything about going on tangents)