New Feature: Question Threads

[mikewazowski]

We've rolled out Question threads in a few forums to see if they'll be a useful addition to the site. Here's a quick blurb from the Xenforo site on how they're supposed to work:​

Question threads​

When a thread author is seeking an answer to a specific question they may post a question thread. The first post is the question, and will be displayed at the top of each page of the thread above all other replies.

Replies to the thread are considered to be answers to the question, any of which may be a possible solution.

Users with permission to vote on threads and posts may cast a vote on each answer, which may help other users to determine which answer should be the solution.

Solutions​

Question threads are considered to be unsolved until one answer is selected as the solution. This can be done either by the thread author, if they have permission to do so, otherwise a solution may be selected by a forum moderator or administrator.

After a solution has been selected, the post selected as the solution will be displayed at the top of each page along with the question, and the thread will show as solved in its parent forum.

Question threads may exist within a dedicated question forum, or a mixed-type forum that allows question threads.

 

[a417]

Question threads are considered to be unsolved until one answer is selected as the solution. This can be done either by the thread author, if they have permission to do so, otherwise a solution may be selected by a forum moderator or administrator.​

I think this is a great idea.
I would advocate for mods/admins being required to validate "solved". This would prevent "works for me" answers that are lucky guesses that are not based in theory or proof, and happen to work for a fringe case.

 

[belvdr]

I like this. Can a better answer be given later (i.e. one with better details, or even a simpler response) and the solution changed?

 

[KevinC]

I think this is a great idea.
I would advocate for mods/admins being required to validate "solved". This would prevent "works for me" answers that are lucky guesses that are not based in theory or proof, and happen to work for a fringe case.

I thought it was work smarter, not harder? Validating every solution means moderators spending all day researching questions vs answers… sounds like a lot of work to me.

 

[mmckenna]

Users with permission to vote on threads and posts may cast a vote on each answer, which may help other users to determine which answer should be the solution.

But, will there be a "That answer is total B.S.!" vote button?

 

[GTR8000]

I think this is a great idea.
I would advocate for mods/admins being required to validate "solved". This would prevent "works for me" answers that are lucky guesses that are not based in theory or proof, and happen to work for a fringe case.

The mods and admins (two totally different roles, btw) are all volunteers. Many of us already spend a lot of time maintaining the forums (mods) and database (admins). The whole point of the up/down votes in question threads is to let the community decide. That's the way it should be.

 

[mikewazowski]

I would advocate for mods/admins being required to validate "solved".

Yeah, that's not going to happen. We're just volunteers.

I like this. Can a better answer be given later (i.e. one with better details, or even a simpler response) and the solution changed?

It's all up to the OP. If the OP decides a better answer has been given, they can mark it as the new solution.

But, will there be a "That answer is total B.S.!" vote button?

You can upvote and downvote posts. A post with many downvotes could be considered as total B.S.

 

[wtp]

You can upvote and downvote posts. A post with many downvotes could be considered as total B.S.

that works for me !

 

[mmckenna]

You can upvote and downvote posts. A post with many downvotes could be considered as total B.S.

I wish you sounded more reassuring….

 

[trentbob]

I have a question, I was recently involved in a thread that had this voting system with the up and down arrow.

I'd see that some members have at least one solution in their profile. Of all the responses, I received one vote and there are no other responses with a vote, they show zero. Does that mean I have a solution in the statistics? Thanks, I'm just not familiar with this.

 

[KevinC]

I have a question, I was recently involved in a thread that had this voting system with the up and down arrow.

I'd see that some members have at least one solution in their profile. Of all the responses, I received one vote and there are no other responses with a vote, they show zero. Does that mean I have a solution in the statistics? Thanks, I'm just not familiar with this.

The OP needs to mark your reply as the solution.

 

[GTR8000]

I have a question, I was recently involved in a thread that had this voting system with the up and down arrow.

I'd see that some members have at least one solution in their profile. Of all the responses, I received one vote and there are no other responses with a vote, they show zero. Does that mean I have a solution in the statistics? Thanks, I'm just not familiar with this.

The votes don't mean anything unless the post is selected as the solution by the OP. If you don't see the green chosen solution post, then that hasn't happened.

 

[trentbob]

I see, the original poster was a newbie and I'm sure has no idea what the zero with up and down arrows means, however they were thankful in a post. If it is determined that it is a solution by a moderator, I wonder why we have the vote?

So if the original poster was aware of this voting system, I don't know how they would be, and gave a positive vote, it's still up to a moderator to determine if the original posters vote is valid?

A little confusing. Anyway, I was glad to help the poster and give them a solution that answered their question.

 

[KevinC]

I see, the original poster was a newbie and I'm sure has no idea what the zero with up and down arrows means, however they were thankful in a post. If it is determined that it is a solution by a moderator, I wonder why we have the vote?

So if the original poster was aware of this voting system, I don't know how they would be, and gave a positive vote, it's still up to a moderator to determine if the original posters vote is valid?

A little confusing. Anyway, I was glad to help the poster and give them a solution that answered their question in the thread title.

Not confusing at all. If the OP thinks your reply was the solution they can mark it as such.

If you want to pay me to research every single question and decide what the correct solution is I'll send you my Zelle info.

 

[KevinC]

I see, the original poster was a newbie and I'm sure has no idea what the zero with up and down arrows means, however they were thankful in a post. If it is determined that it is a solution by a moderator, I wonder why we have the vote?

So if the original poster was aware of this voting system, I don't know how they would be, and gave a positive vote, it's still up to a moderator to determine if the original posters vote is valid?

A little confusing. Anyway, I was glad to help the poster and give them a solution that answered their question.

What thread are you referencing?

 

[trentbob]

What thread are you referencing?

Uniden Bearcat 170 in Uniden Tech discussion.

Again I'm not familiar with the process of awarding a solution and how it's handled by the moderators, I thought maybe it was automated or initiated by a moderator so they would know a vote was out there.

Just asking because it's the first time I ever got a vote.

 

[KevinC]

Uniden Bearcat 170 in Uniden Tech discussion.

Again I'm not familiar with the process of awarding a solution and how it's handled by the moderators, I thought maybe it was automated or initiated by a moderator so they wouldn't know a vote was out there.

Just asking because it's the first time I ever got a vote.

Again, it's NOT handled by the moderators. It's up to the OP as it's their question and it's their decision as to what the correct solution is.

 

[GTR8000]

Again I'm not familiar with the process of awarding a solution and how it's handled by the moderators

It's not "handled by the moderators", as Kevin and I already explained, the OP (original poster aka thread starter aka member asking the question) is the one who has to choose which post was the "solution".

 

[KevinC]

And to be fair, moderators can pick a solution, but I ain't gotst time to research every question, It's up to the OP to decide.