Question For Spare Ed

[Mamyalynne]

Using this question and the links within as an example.

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1636290.html

Could you explain why sub categories (which we know are underused anyway) are cleared of all past threads making them look even more redundant that they seem already.

[jim360]

I don't think the categories are "cleared", so much as the definition of "most recent" is restricted to the last month. On the main page that works and makes sense, as there have been 1000 threads posted in (outside Chatterbank, Q&P, and Crosswords) since 11th November. On Sub Categories, I suppose it makes rather less sense.

Speaking for myself here, I barely use the "categories" as a way of searching for what's going on on AB, and do all my browsing through the main page. It's not difficult to find the threads I want either there or on the Activity log to the right. In that sense, for me at least, the whole Category system is just an optional extra.

[ABerrant]

The "Recent" tabs (Most Recent and Recently Answered) only ever contain posts from within the last 30 days.

[Mamyalynne]

Quite right Jim, I stand corrected - if I click on the other tabs the questions appear.

So really the cats appear empty unless you know what to click.

Makes this question somewhat renundant really.

I'll request its removal.

Thanks.

[TonyV]

Be here at 4 in the morning

[jim360]

I still think it's a reasonable question, to an extent. "Recently Answered" or "Most Recent" only makes sense as the default start screen in categories were there *has* been recent activity, and for those where there has not, it would be nice if the default home page were the "Answered" instead, so that all categories at least have the semblance of looking filled.

[-Talbot-]

It hasn't always been like this.
Another change for the worse imo.

[Mamyalynne]

I'll let Spare Ed decide if it should go Tony, thanks all the same.

[ABerrant]

"It hasn't always been like this.
Another change for the worse imo."

You are correct that the "Recent" tabs etc. did not exist before the website styling changes of mid-2010.