...so why do mods lock threads, as opposed to deleting them?

Quick question: threads that breach the terms of use get locked, but why not delete them? Sometimes half of the first page is filled with locked topics that slowly reach the last page. (btw, do they just clog up the last page or are they automatically deleted once they hit rock bottom?)

The only practical purpose locking serves, as far as I can tell, is to preserve threads that someone may want to reference later. But 99.9% of locked threads are not reference worthy, so why bother?

From being a mod on other forums although GB's forums are quite different we usually locked threads instead of deleting them so people woulnd't lose their post-count.

To let them stand as examples on how NOT to completely fuck up, for the most part.

An example, I'd assume.

" An example, I'd assume. "

How are the GiantBomb forums slow? Are there forums faster? I'm actually curious.

" @atejas said:

" An example, I'd assume. "

Is it really worth clogging up the page (especially on a slow-moving forum such as GB) just to show that mods are willing to lock spam topics?EDIT: and how do they serve as examples? Most topic titles are reasonable enough, so you'd have to open the locked topic to find out how the person screwed up, and I certainly don't scour the first page, opening locked topics. "

" @Agnogenic: For instance Gamespot in OT or System Wars: your post is off the first page in a few minutes if you don't get any replies, and if you do, you get a post every fifteen seconds or so. "

" @LiquidPrince: Well, it's not slow moving at the moment, but some forums you get like ten replies in a couple seconds, and topics are made very fast (your post will be off the page in no time). I guess GB is getting more populated. "

I do believe its because they still dont have the comprehensive tools to delete topics yet.

Well, deleting a topic is like posting on a topic then editing your post and deleting what u typed earlier without adding a EDIT sign to show it .. you know? its like, whats been said has been said and shouldnt disappear, it should stay there to be used later or whatever.

" I do believe its because they still dont have the comprehensive tools to delete topics yet. "

If its to preserve user post count that would make sense, but it would make even more sense to design the forums in such a way as to not change your post count when a thread is deleted.

Then again, if a thread is stupid enough to be deleted, any post you made in it probably isn't worthy of being counted.

" If its to preserve user post count that would make sense, but it would make even more sense to design the forums in such a way as to not change your post count when a thread is deleted.Then again, if a thread is stupid enough to be deleted, any post you made in it probably isn't worthy of being counted. "

so people can read the thread. it also doesn't make a person lose his/her post count.

I'm just throwing this out there:  I don't like the way the new quoting setup looks.

who says they don't delete some of them?, I've had a couple of them deleted  just so nobody sees them

"I'm just throwing this out there:  I don't like the way the new quoting setup looks. "

Locked topics don't really clog of the forums.