Combine threads?

Is it possible for administrators to combine threads rather than lock extra threads? I'm wondering sometimes the locked threads don't say where the original thread on that topic can be found. If all the comments were dumped into the original thread, and a post saying: "See "xyz" thread" then people could see all the comments in one place. This seems like a good way to stop people from posting the same questions/comments that have already been posted. (Of course, people could also just check Losttalk first to see if there is already a thread going, I know.) I was just wondering. Thanks to the administrators for all their conscientious work around here!

Ok Dense Wednighter Incoming.... I wanted to acknowledge your post though..

I think I understand what your asking but could you give me an example.. Since I personally have never combined threads, I think I can but to be honest not sure.. If it is just one or two posts I can see just locking the thread and leaving a link as I have been to where the topic is being discussed.. This is where it is important as you said that 1 people are searching before starting threads and just as importantly 2 staying on the threads topic.. It also helps if 3 the title of the thread is what the thread is about or as close as possible to avoid duplicate thoughts, but that may not be as easy as the first two..

Sorry if this didn't help.. Its my thoughts as to what could help..

Actually, yes we can combine or split threads but we wont.
Heres why:

The rules clearly state that users should search before they open up a new thread. This is because we dont want to have a discussion about the same thing scattered along multiple threads in multiple forums. If someone does open a thread that belongs to an existing one we close it because they should have read the rules first and more importantly, if we do all that work searching the right thread for it, combining the new thread as a post to the old thread, what will they learn from it? Exactly.. Nothing.
We're not garbagemen here.. we dont mind cleaning up a thread once in a while.. but you cant ask us to do more.

We close it and ask them to read the rules.. we sometimes even give them a link to the proper thread.. if we have the time to do.

Thanks for your answer. I wasn't saying you guys are lazy; I just wanted to know what you could do. I really enjoy this site.

Originally Posted by LOST

Actually, yes we can combine or split threads but we wont.
Heres why:

The rules clearly state that users should search before they open up a new thread. This is because we dont want to have a discussion about the same thing scattered along multiple threads in multiple forums. If someone does open a thread that belongs to an existing one we close it because they should have read the rules first and more importantly, if we do all that work searching the right thread for it, combining the new thread as a post to the old thread, what will they learn from it? Exactly.. Nothing.
We're not garbagemen here.. we dont mind cleaning up a thread once in a while.. but you cant ask us to do more.

We close it and ask them to read the rules.. we sometimes even give them a link to the proper thread.. if we have the time to do.