[wp-forums] Highlighting great answers

[Chip Bennett]

Well, the thing to remember about StackExchange sites (not just WPSE, but
the entire network) is that they're not a *support forum*. SE is based
entirely on being a *question and answer* site: each OP is a question, and
each reply is an answer.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each method. Q/A sites are great
at driving to the answer that solves the OP's problem, but can be rather
impersonal. Support forums provide a lot of leeway for discussion (both to
clarify the question, and for friendly chatter), but that discussion can
lead to the ultimate answer being lost in high signal-to-noise ratio.


On Tue, May 27, 2014 at 3:05 PM, Josh Lobe <joshlobe at joshlobe.com> wrote:

> +1
> Great point, Chip.
>
> (I know Chip has MUCHO experience with this type of system over at WPSE).
>
> But.. over at WPSE... I hardly ever/never see other people saying "I have
> a similar issue......".
> All answers over there are... well... answers (albeit, some better than
> others).
>
> Chip,
> How did WPSE get to this point where all topics are kept to the OP?
>
>
> *Josh Lobe*
> WP Edit Pro <http://wpeditpro.com>
> Personal Website <http://www.joshlobe.com>
>
> On 5/27/2014 2:44 PM, Chip Bennett wrote:
>
>> But then, the "best answer" is from the perspective of the OP - and even
>> with the WPORG support forums, topics are specific to the OP. Other people
>> with similar/related issues are asked to start their own topic. So, I
>> think
>> it is fitting with such a model that the OP be able to identify a "best
>> answer". Whether that's feasible to implement is another matter, of
>> course.
>>
>>
>> On Tue, May 27, 2014 at 1:27 PM, Josh Lobe <joshlobe at joshlobe.com> wrote:
>>
>>  I do agree that models like "Stack Overflow" do help to find the best
>>> suited answer (has saved me much time in the past).
>>> However... I must also admit I've felt "not welcomed" when I post a
>>> suggestion which does not help/work for the particular issue.
>>>
>>> I also think "best answer" might work for Joe... but it might not work
>>> for
>>> Jane.
>>> I think it places a higher burden on the person looking for an answer.
>>> Jane might thing Joe's solution will work for her... but when it does
>>> not... will Jane come back with attitude saying it doesn't work for her?
>>>
>>> I'm all for the idea... I LOVE IT :)
>>> But... how will it affect the newcomers?
>>>
>>> Just my $0.02.
>>>
>>> *Josh Lobe*
>>> WP Edit Pro <http://wpeditpro.com>
>>> Personal Website <http://www.joshlobe.com>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 5/27/2014 7:57 AM, Jan Dembowski wrote:
>>>
>>>  I think it's a good idea but tagging those posts might be better for the
>>>> make/support P2 instead of the list or on the forums. Those answers as
>>>> an
>>>> example could be worked into Jerry's idea about updating the handbook
>>>> for
>>>> new contributors.
>>>>
>>>> http://make.wordpress.org/support/2014/05/troubleshooting-support-
>>>> adding-troubleshooting-to-the-support-handbook/
>>>>
>>>> Mark want to chime in on that post? ;)
>>>>
>>>> It's not that anyone wants to discourage anyone from contributing to
>>>> support but some answers do standout and should be highlighted.
>>>> Sometimes
>>>> members get enthusiastic and recommend a Not So Good™ solution over and
>>>> over again. The "edit your theme's style.css file" reply is a good
>>>> example
>>>> of a not so good reply...
>>>>
>>>> Jan Dembowski
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>>>>
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