would this trigger your sleuthing instincts?

[swedeheart]

I'm not a very frequent user here anymore, so my apologies if this has already been suggested.

You know how, sometimes, you post a question and you get a lot of kind replies from members who want to help, but you don't receive the actual answer to what you were asking? I think it would be a good thing if those questions were allowed to remain in a STILL UNSOLVED category. Today, they go under the ANSWERED tab and don't trigger anybody's sleuthing instincts ever again. I believe the chance of having your problem solved would increase if there were such a tab.

Preferably, the OP would be the judge of when a problem is solved.

[EvianBaby]

I think that's a good idea. As well because if someone hasn't been on for a while they may spot a Q they know the answer to that they might not have seen otherwise.

[swedeheart]

Thanks guys:) Yes EvianBaby that's a good point you're making.

[factor-fiction]

My initial thought is that large number of posts would end up in the unresolved category even though a satisfactory answer has been given- e.g. a crossword answer-for several reasons, including:
(1) because the OP simply forgets about it or
(2) the OP may be the type of poster who never bothers to acknowledge answers and is therefore unlikely to take the trouble to close it off

[dickythecook]

Perhaps the OP could keep the original question alive themselves,but every time they re-post it they should number it. After 5 or 6 goes, if nobody has given the correct answer by then, give it up. If you can't get the right answer from AB you have not asked the right question!!

[cathfromsaron]

i suggested that ages ago for crosswords! great idea!

[factor-fiction]

A poster who hasn't had a satisfactory answer to a fairly recent question (last month) can reactivate a question at any time if they want to by simply posting an "any more ideas please" message on the thread. or thay can repost the question

[marval]

I like this idea

[cathfromsaron]

instead of a 'best answer' crossword questions could have an 'all solved thanks' button! x

[dickythecook]

That's a brill idea cfs.

[Marijn]

I think it's a good idea swedeheart. How about having to specify that your answer is "unsolved". That way the people who forget to acknowledge answers to their thread wouldn't come up as "unsolved"automatically.

[factor-fiction]

Yes, I think that's worth considering, notafish.

[swedeheart]

Fantastic responses, everybody:) Good point Factor and good solution for that, notafish. But what if an Original Poster marks the problem as unresolved and somebody comes along and gives the correct answer AFTER that...? Would the thread automatically get kicked out of the Unsolved category for every new reply, and the OP would have to specify it again? That might be a good idea...

Great minds, cathfromsaron :)

[AB Editor]

Interesting. We can consider it. Not sure about implementation though.

[atalanta]

I have asked this before. I even add to my questions "please don't answer this if you don't actually have the answer" but people still answer with stuff like "I don't know", which is worse than useless.