Back to basics on Fluther operations?

I appreciate the swiftness of support offered when questions on participation are asked. Since I am still quite new to Fluther, please help me understand this: What is the time frame for answering question? I ask because I have opened some discussions that began over a year ago. Since I have not noticed date stamps, I am wondering how to know if the discussion is closed or inactive. Is it appropriate to continue a discussion that seems to be dated? Are questions deleted at some point?