Why are there always people linking to previous discussions then? Including dang himself...

They were doing it for you because you didn't know about that button. But now that you do, they will stop doing it.

Wouldn't it be easier to create an automated comment for everyone else?

Because the past button doesn't actually do that. lol

Edit: Oops. I didn't see there are two "past" buttons. I guess one of them does do that. TIL.

Well, it's certainly handy when using a mobile client that doesn't have a "Past" button, like Materialistic :)

It would need to change color when there are past discussions with more than a couple comments, or something.

The "if there are any" part is more important than the actual links.