Solution Marking is not Understood - Remove?

[smercurio_fc]

I know this has been brought up before as part of the discussion when the new forum format was unveiled, but I wanted to specifically hone in on this specific issue...

There have been a lot of instances when new users simply don't understand how to properly use the "Solution" marking. Most of the time people simply mark their own "thank you" responses as the solution. The fundamental problem seems to be that they see this as marking that the thread has been solved, whereas the intent of the system was to mark a specific response as the solution. Clearly, this is not working well. Either it is not explained, or people don't understand what is written, or people don't read what's written. Whatever the case, it doesn't really matter. Having a bunch of the regulars constantly posting follow-ups telling people to "don't mark your response as the solution", only to have the next new user do the same thing, is counter-productive. I suggest one of the following:

1. Get rid of the solution marking system.
2. Change it so that it indicates the thread has been solved. It will not point to a specific response, unfortunately.
3. Disallow a user to mark their own response as a "solution.

I don't really know which is the best solution (though my personal order of preference given the above is 2, 3, 1), and perhaps someone else has another suggestion.

[tst]

I think that the system in general is good and seeing the solved icon in the thread list is beneficial. Personally, I don't really care if people mark their own answers as the solution. I see it basically the same way I saw the one star issue - it looks wrong, but isn't worth even a second of my time. Obviously, others feel otherwise.

I would go with either 2 or 3, but I don't mind the current situation. 3 is probably better, as it still allows you to select a specific reply. It won't allow for the relatively rare cases where people actually solve their own problems, but I don't see that as a real issue. The main problem would be that some people won't notice the option, but then you're basically in the same place as not having it at all.

[RavensFan]

My vote would be for #3, users can't mark their own.

[GregFreeman]

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Ravens Fan wrote:
My vote would be for #3, users can't mark their own.

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Good "Solution" And possibly give certain moderators the ability to mark a solution also (if they don't already have this capability). This way, if someone solves it themselves and posts a correct, valid solution it is still possible to be marked solved should someone credible on the forums recognize it.

[RayFarmer]

Actually there are instances where the user has marked there own response as Solved because there have discovered the solution and are bring it to the attention of the forum that the solution posted solved the origin post.

So its not quite as simple as not allowing the originator  not to mark there own response.

Regards

Ray

[Ben]

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Ray Farmer wrote:

Actually there are instances where the user has marked there own response as Solved because there have discovered the solution and are bring it to the attention of the forum that the solution posted solved the origin post.

So its not quite as simple as not allowing the originator  not to mark there own response.

Regards

Ray

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Which was the case in a number* of the Q's I posted that never gor answers but I eventually figured it out.

I'd like to resurect an old idea that the frequent-flyers would have the ability to set or rest the solution. Using this approach the mercurio could re-assign the "Solution" marking. If the original questioner really wanted to makr their own post they could set it back. But for the most part I think most of the casual questioners will not return to that thread and will never notice.

So rather than "toss the baby with the bath water" why don't we let people who know how to "lather rinse repeat" get the hands wet.

Ben

* I think I still have another 200 or so I have not assigned solution too.

Message Edited by Ben on 03-09-2009 08:28 AM

[RavensFan]

Hi Ray,

That's true.  That's one negative to having #3 as the answer.  But it seems like people solving their own problem is pretty rare and people just marking their "Thank You" reply as the solution is very frequent.  The worst cases are when there were several helpful replies, but somewhat different answers.  And the people wrote "Thanks, that solved it" or "I figured it out" and marked that as the solution.  And they don't tell which of the several different replies was the solution or exactly how they solved it.  Those kinds of situations won't help anyone in the future figure out what might be the solution to their problem.

Message Edited by Ravens Fan on 03-09-2009 09:31 AM

[RayFarmer]

I think I have had all of those response actions.

I surpose the only way is to educate people and if someone responses with the incorrect action then to suggest they remark it.

Regards

Ray

[GregFreeman]

Maybe we can have two button dialogs that pop up that say "are you SURE you understand what you are doing?"

[paulmw]

How about the original poster doesn't get the big green button for his replies but has to use the "options" drop down with an option that says "I solved it myself" or something like that...  Basically, kind of hiding the option from persons not familiar with the site.