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I'm aware that some people don't take too well to this, but I find myself doing it on accident quite a bit. I have my display settings adjusted to where the forum will display all threads, regardless of date. So I often stumble across older posts and am tempted to reply without checking the date beforehand.
Is this too much of a problem? I don't think resurrecting a good topic really hurts the forums, or anything. However, I can try to pay more attention if it is an issue.
It tricks other people into thinking the thread is new, and then they start "replying" to posts that are actually months old. If you view a thread as a conversation, it's like one person continuing to talk while everyone else has walked out of the room without saying anything. The one person left will look and feel foolish.
This is especially a problem in threads where people are asking for advice; the problem people were seeking help with may be long solved, and people may not really want to revisit the issue.
It's also especially a problem with threads that have been closed for so long that people's views or opinions may have changed over the time the thread has lain dead.
Excellent answer, Dr Unne. That about covers it all. :)