Okay, specifically this is regarding a thread I began several days ago:

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/community/its-too-bad-about-fiveofswords

But generally this thread is about understanding why threads get locked.   And then more specifically why this thread got locked.  As best I can tell the thread noted above was locked because he got called out for "lying" about something in a different thread. 

My thread topic/posts were lamenting the fact that a basically OK guy, who was very, very active in the forums just dissappeared from the forums after he was confronted.

I think the most reliable way to answer your question is to ask the one who locked the thread. They would know better than anyone. Wasn't an explanation given ?

I think Kohai's explanation in the last post of that thread is crystal clear:

Fiveofswords is still a member of the site and his account is still open. Please show a little restraint in the forums and not trash talk other members.

I don't think that there was much in the way of trash talk, but even if some people were crossing the line (wherever that might be) wouldn't it be better for the specific member(s) to be addressed specifically rather than shutting down an otherwise perfectly good conversation??

The entire thread was headed downhill fast, it was about to become (if it wasn't already) a flame war. That's why it was locked. People started breaking the first rule here "Be nice".

ah chess.com

@ilikeflags:

If I may go off-topic for a moment, what's with the skull picture?

Quite a few members seem to use that exact one, is it to do with a group, or is it a mystery?

your countryman--thegab, has this as his avatar...  there was some controversy over his being kicked off the site (i think he's since returned) so to show my (our) support, for him i (several members) am (are) using the skull.  i need to get my james nesbitt avatar back i think.

What does it mean by 'locked' thread?

I at first thought it meant that people couldn't add comments, but that can't be the case because I just did...now.

it does mean people can't add comments.  they're referring to another thread that is in fact--locked.

I think pretty much anything worthwhile that could be said on that thread had already been stated. As has been pointed out, things seemed poised to head downhill, with some posts already tending in that direction. I think the staff showed good judgement in shutting down the thread when they did.

I am not sure I am comfortable with starting threads about a particular individual. I suppose it can be OK if it's in fun, or complimentary. I realize that the original post in the thread referred to, was not offensive, but it lead to a lot of people discussing the good and bad points about Fiveofswords. I left a post myself. I began to wonder though, how I would feel if I was Fiveofswords, and I logged in and found a thread where the chess.com community was analyzing me.

Hey Reb, here's the quote:

Fiveofswords is still a member of the site and his account is still open. Please show a little restraint in the forums and not trash talk other members.

That's not really much to go on in my book.  I stand my thought that if there are specific entries in a thread that are "over the line" then those ought to be addressed directly.  To me this sort of heavy handedness reminds me of being being a children's classroom where the whole class is "punished" because of the poor behavior of 1 or two kids.  As best as I can tell the thread was shut down because 5oSwords was directly called a "liar". 

I agree. At least the ~15 first posts on that thread were not conforming to the TOS

I tried to give a balanced non-flamey opinion in that forum, and as time went I on very much regretted my participation in the discussion... not because of anything I said... I didn't say anything rude at all... the entire thread came more and more and more to resemble a claque of nasty seventh grade girls gossiping and tearing to shreds some classmate who'd gone from popular to unpopular. The whole thread was gross. Never been so happy to see it closed.

Well, in my day those who posed as something they werent paid a price when/if caught. The more serious/blatant their deception was the more serious the "price" they paid. However, in today's mamby pamby and politically correct environment even when caught these people get a free ride/pass because we might hurt someone's feelings..... <heaven forbid> and so it isnt surprising to see the numbers of people doing just that growing and becoming ever more bold about it. It doesnt matter anymore that little Johnny cant read , as long as he feels good about it. PC is a poison that is undermining everything about a civilized/honest society......

Well, in MY day we had to walk eighty miles through the snow to school every day, and nobody did anything wrong, at all! Funny how things were always perfect "BACK IN MY DAY."

 "But you know, we were happy in those days, though we were poor."

I understand what the administrator was saying. How would you like it if you got reported for using nasty language and someone goes into the forums and writes:

(your name here) just got reported for using bad language. He was a good guy. He did ok posts.

I don't know about you, but I would hate it! Humiliated in front of the whole chess.com community!

My god what nonsense -- you should HOGWASH yourself Reb... I wasted a fair half-an-hour writing an intelligent response -- but who wants to read all that? It boils down to this -- learn the difference between politics and manners. Learn moderation, generosity of spirit, honorable conduct, self-restraint. Tact.

In my day, when you had a fight on the playground and knocked a kid down that was enough -- you didn't pile on with your friends and keep kicking him.

Very well put JG27Pyth!