Best Answers Quizzes And Puzzles Etc

[Davemano]

I pose this on Quizzes and Puzzles as this is where I see it mostly. I am referring to Best Answers. When I joined Answer Bank last year I understood from the Editor's terms etc that the reason for a Best Answer was for the benefit of a person reading the so that they could go direct to the BA without having to read the entire thread. This is understandable, but the Ed shows no other reason for a BA. Since that time I have acquired several BAs, but it seems to be getting a like a rat race to give first answer, then parsing follows. It is strange that some BAs are given for simply asking for clarification to a posed question. Am I missing something about BAs and what benefit they are to a recipient other than to accrue a vast number of them. I must say that I enjoy AB Q and Ps and a BA is bonus, and would be more so if I knew its purpose.

[mazie]

The best thing is to just ignore BA's Dave and enjoy the site. I can't see the point in them either so I just forget about them.

[Davemano]

I agree mazie, but have noticed odd occasions when a BA award has caused comment as it was thought it should have gone elsewhere - perhaps just harmless.

[mazie]

That's why it's best to ignore them Dave. It saves getting into a debate about something that doesn't really matter

[Davemano]

Still no answer.

[dannyk13]

Dave, I think that BA's were introduced so that ,if a poster thought one answer was better than others, he could acknowledge it. I agree that sometimes BA's are given when not earned, e,g first answer posted.

[fiction-factory]

I'm not sure what sort of answer you want, Dave, but here's mine. I don't see the point of best answers other than by giving a best answer it is sometimes the only way we know that the person who asked the question has seen the answers. I think some people go out of their way to collect answers and Best Answer awards by sitting poised over the keyboard with the completed grids in front of them so they can answer all 5 clues within seconds but that might still happen even if the Best Answer carrot wasn't there. If you don't like it i suggest you do what I do- ignore it and never concern yourself with the Best Answer counts of you and others.
The only plus side I can see for them is that some posters in sections such as Law and Technology consistently give good answers and the Best Answer count may be an indicator that their answer is more reliable than that of someone who has given few Best Answers. Often though, particularly in News, the best answer is awarded to the first person to agree with the OP.

[dannyk13]

FF.//I think some people go out of their way to collect answers and Best Answer awards by sitting poised over the keyboard//#
I haven't noticed you hanging back.

[Davemano]

danny, yes I appreciate what you say, but when there are identical answers I fail to see the point. My real question is of what value the BAs are. If there was a league table or something similar then it would be understandable. However I think my point has been has been answered by lack of response.

[dannyk13]

I agree with much of what you say Dave,maybe it is time for Ed to review the question of BA's,.

[fiction-factory]

That's called selective quoting isn't it danny? If you include the second part of my sentence right through to the full stop then it doesn't apply to me.

[Davemano]

ff Thank you for that which is all I needed to know as I thought that I was missing something about the BAs. QUESTION ANSWERED AND EXPLAINED SATISFACTORY.

[dannyk13]

Not being able to see you FF I wouldn't know whether you had anything in front of you or not, but I will take your word for it.

[fiction-factory]

When you say "lack of response", dave, are you referring to a lack of response from the AB Editor?
I think, like badges, it's just something that's a guide and a bit of fun to some. I don't think it would help to have to specify rules/criteria for awarding them

[fiction-factory]

Thanks Dave. Do I get a Best Answer?

[fiction-factory]

dannyk- I get as almost as many wrong as I get right but I enjoy trying

[dannyk13]

AS we all do, i'm sure.

[Svejk]

No names. But I've given the correct answer first only to see the best answer go to someone giving exactly the same answer later.
I put it down to some people hating me. (sob,sob)

[Davemano]

ff No, I meant lack of response by ABers in explaining. Your reply gives the answer.
Can you share the BA with danny.

[dannyk13]

Svejk- There is a cloak of invisibilty going around which we all wear at some time or another:-)

[fiction-factory]

Please let danny have it. I know he reached a BA milestone recently and we can help him on the way to another