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Ask HN: Why can't I reply to comments after a while?

7 points by d--b ↗ HN
Hi there,

On some other thread, I criticized an article, and my criticism in turn got criticized and I answered some of the complains, but at some point I couldn't reply to any comment on that thread. Is there a limit to how many comments one can post on a thread? Or was I flagged in some way?

Just trying to understand the mecanism here.

7 comments

[ 3.3 ms ] story [ 33.1 ms ] thread
onemoresoop
In what sense you not reply? No reply link? I noticed missing reply links on comments that are deeply nested. What you could do in this case is click the time link on a particular comment and you'll get to the reply form. Hope this helps.
dark-star
No, after a while there is no reply link anymore, even if you click on the item directly.

I guess it is to keep discussions fresh and not have flame wars escalate, or something

eindiran
It is to prevent necroposting. The reply button disappears after 14 days I believe.

EDIT: Oh you're talking about the max reply depth thing. I am not sure about that one, but I found the thread you mean and I can't reply to some of the comments that are deep enough. It seems likely that feature is about preventing huge flame wars.

tough
Yeah recursion aint infinite on comments, it goes 3-4 levels deep and then comment button disappears

PS: You won't be able to reply to me directly as a 4th level comment I think

Am4TIfIsER0ppos
Yes I can. You can also just click on the link for a single comment and then reply there
anenefan
Flame war prevention mechanism I believe I've heard mentioned a few times. It's possible it might also stop derailing the original topic subject as well.