Blank questions

[factor-fiction]

Answerbank has lots of questions where people fill in the question box then leave the question details box blank.
I know this is largely down to user error but I think it may also be a design issue with teh AB screen layout in that the Submit button is placed straight after the title box when it should be after the question details box.
AB should also prevent users from submitting a blank question. I have suggested this to AB before but have never had a response.
One change I have noticed however is that at least AB have limited the length of the question title box

[ummmm]

I think because the 'submit' button is next to the title box instead of the question box.

[boxtops]

I noticed that, once you design your question you have to go back a step to submit - Edddddd?! please have a quick EDit of this bit. It is so hard to read when people put the Q in the title box!

[ummmm]

Also....I think it submits when you press enter...

[factor-fiction]

Thanks boxtops. This is something that bugs me but I felt nobody else was taking any notice. Some posters have several faied attempts at posting the same question.

[factor-fiction]

For the benefit of the AB Editor, here are some examples from questions posted in the last 24 hours.

http://www.theanswerb...s/Question891003.html
http://www.theanswerb...s/Question890983.html
http://www.theanswerb...s/Question890913.html
http://www.theanswerb...w/Question890555.html
http://www.theanswerb...l/Question890550.html
http://www.theanswerb...s/Question890703.html

The layout of the AB Ask a Question screen contributes to the problem.

Solutions could include: move the Submit button to after the question details box; require posters to put something in the Question Details box; or at least put a few words of guidance on the screen next to the question boxes.

IS this something AB can tackle, AB Ed?

[ummmm]

Factor....

I just typed in 'just testing' above this question and pressed enter. Enter is used to go down a line so pressing it is perfectly normal. You don't realise that pressing enter will submit your question....if that makes sense.

[boxtops]

Ah that does explain then, ummmm, why so many posts are mistakes. I'd thought Enter would take you down a line, not take you out of it!

[factor-fiction]

Good point- this another contributory factor. Although I'm not sure why users would want to press Enter to create a new paragraph within the question title box escapes. But i can see why they think Enter will take them to the question details box.

It's not the only factor though- some people do put the full question in the title box so probably don't intend to fill in the Question Details box.

Maybe the people who only fill in the Title box are right- maybe it's more efficient? Perhaps AB should dispense with the Question Details box altogether?

[boxtops]

Ooh no please, factor - I find white on orange very difficult to read! I think the title box should be limited in size - the fact it's so big at the moment leads people to ramble on. It might be that we need a guide - Title (name of your post) Q (put your question in here)...? :-)

[ummmm]

I press 'enter' as habit.

I know how the site works though.....newbies don't.