Searching for older threads

I know this comes up every once in a while, but it's still a problem

[Fiver]

It's always suggested to use google to find old threads, works great, but WebmasterWorld no longer lets you view the pages when you find them.

I recall Brett saying something about stemming the tide of ... umm, people not signed in looking at old threads? (I, obviously, cannot remember Brett's reasoning).

My impression was that Brett simply wanted people to be logged in to look at old posts, but logging in, when you arrive, doesn't let you view them. It just lets you log in again.

I've had this problem occasionally in the past, but today I can't access any old posts that I don't get to by clicking on from within the forum ... and so, cannot find what I need to. Including older posts on this topic...

[Fiver]

treads = lack of caffeine :)

[Robert Charlton]

...but logging in, when you arrive, doesn't let you view them. It just lets you log in again.

Per feedback I've gotten on the same problem, I think this means that the thread's been deleted. I was looking for one the other day and this came up. When this happens, and you find yourself in an endless loop, if your name shows up after "Welcome" at the top of the page, you are in fact logged in.

A 404 or "page deleted" message might be more helpful.

As for why we're losing some really good threads, I don't know whether it's server space, in which case maybe more people need to become supporters, or whether it's about how much the engines will crawl and index.

[anallawalla]

Don't confuse with archived threads. You add some more zeroes to the message number or the forum number - something like that.

I have enough trouble skimming the surface of current threads. :)