Why is the "Edit Post" function locked out so quickly.. or even at all...

[Finnster]

Overall I think these forums are set up exceedingly well, but one thing has always bothered me. Why does the "edit post" function get removed after a few hours? I really hate this.
I like to update certain posts if I've made and error in info, or I've put more information in than I'd like forever archived, or if I've said something I would like to later take back (I imagine we all have if a good bashing thread starts up and we get carried away, and would rather go back and remove the fuel from teh fire...)

Most of all tho, is the ability to update build threads.. I hold off on build threads until I am nearly done as it gets so disorganized and less informative otherwise.
EG.: New post: Going to Convert XYZ.. ideas?
Replies: info, info, banter, banter, Linc's monkey butler stories, banter, banter,
Page 2: I made a batt box, here's pix: reply, banter, banter,
..Page 13: Its finally done, pics:

Personally I think its more helpful if I can update the OP w/ setup info, ET data, vids whatever, as well as have the stuff in replies, and have more room for BL blowup doll stories.
Esp helpful if you go searching thru other builds to find useful ideas, but have to sort thru 12 pages of nonsense just to find what you are looking for. If all the important updates could be in the OP, it helps everybody out. Or.. the setup you thought was great on Pg.1 blows up by Pg.3, a casual reader may not catch that info if they don't go digging.

Seems like it could help, and works well on a lot of other forums, and there has never really been a downside as far as I've ever seen.

[Takedown]

Its setup that way on purpose. I like the feature. Its meant so you cannot change title/subject to keep the thread alive in an unfair way basically. Its like this on all forums that I know of accept for rc universe which I never use anymore.

[BrianG]

Plus, it can get confusing to quote someone's post and then later on that statement is no longer to be found anywhere. Makes it look like the quoter is making stuff up.

I think the intent of the edit button is to just correct a misspelling, grammar, etc that one may have noticed shortly after posting; not to go back and add/change/delete stuff.

IMO, if the purpose of the edit is to add more information to OP, just post a clarification entry. Or, if important enough, paste what you want the original post to say into a PM and send it to a mod.

I do understand what you are saying though...

[Finnster]

Hmm.. my response I guess would be the intent is whatever you want it to be ;) :)
As far as fairness goes, I don't see how that makes it unfair. Not arguing it can't, just saying I can't see how it works like that, or really what is exactly unfair.
At least out of the RC realm, thread editing seems to help out a bit and reduce clutter of repeat posts.

Eg. I also visit a News& Events forum. Instead of lots of posts discussing news events, and new threads as the situation changes, there is one "official" thread for the topic, and the initial poster updates the 1st post (or even title as relevent) but the conversation continues on in the thread. for example:
Presidential Election Day results thread:
OP: Obama wins PA
later, Obama wins OH, FL
later, McCain wins MO
later, CA polls close, Obama Pres-elect.

OP updated for the relevent info of a dynamic topic, but conversation continues in thead. New thread viewers see the relevent info in title, but jump to pg whatever to discuss, but mostly knowing state of the conversation. If title doesn't get updated, new viewers see old info and tend to start new threads (Hey yo, OBAMA won OH! --->not a newsflash)

I mean I guess there are some fairness issues, as OP has a responsibilty to update the thread OP, but if they don't, thread tends to die off and a new one starts, or it sometimes doesn't a matter and thread goes on regardless if the OP tries to steer it.
For the most part I don't see this as a problem here esp as OP's for build threads want and should be able to control the direction of their own build thread, and be able to update w/ current info. If they really want to be thread hogs now, they can still do it by just constantly bumping their own thread w/ useless info ("hey, I bought a new shock spring"-->bump)

Maybe there is some value to limiting editing in the general areas, such as "General Discussion" and even the "Brushless" areas, but on the lesser visited sub forums, like Truggy or Mini-Trug, Savage or Revo where build threads dominate the discussions, there seems to be good opportunities to allow editing so posters can create really top-notch dense and detailed conversion how-to build threads that can be used more like reference material. IMO, what really sets this forum really apart is the vast wealth of knowledge and experience contained here. In some sense too, there would be an incentive to posting build threads in the relevant, if lesser visited sub-forum. EG, some people post Trug build threads in "Truggy" while others post in the higher traffic but less specific "brushless" area. IDK, is that fair? Is that the best use of the forum, and is that most helpful to people trying to search for a veh specific conversion to have to search a bunch of different areas b/c god knows where others decided to stick it?

Active OPs and outstanding threads will always get more attention regardless, but info can be presented in a more organized way.

Lastly, as far a ghost quoting goes, as far as I've seen its not really an issue. If somebody writes something, gets quoted and later edits out, the quoted post still has a edited by: dude on 12/1/01 at 4:39pm. Its pretty easy to see it got edited out and where it fits w/ the timestamps.

Long as hell post, but something I've been thinking about for a while, so might as well throw it all out as the topic is up.

[_paralyzed_]

I don't think the masses would use it properly. Sure, people like you are I (well, you) would use it properly. Perhaps you could get moderator priveleges. If you went power crazy with them they could be taken away and your hand slapped.