I don't pay any attention to the numbers. It's the date that counts. Obviously, I'm not going to reply to a thread whose most recent post is dated 2002. But I'll post to a recently active thread, no matter how far down it is. Random passers-by probably won't see it, but others who posted to the thread will get e-bots.

Most common reason for a thread to come "back from the dead" is a newbie with a question. They search the forum, and if they find a thread about their problem, they often post to it, even if it's two years old. If I get an ebot, I'll answer if I can. Since they did the right thing by searching first, instead jumping right in with "why does vicky disappear when I try to dress her?" ;-)