self ranking / scoring of thread wrt to achieving a solution

Hi,

A suggestion to address the fact that when one does
a search as newbee, or english as 2d language
(sometimes one does not know the keyword), one
may end up with too many threads (too little as well)
(same happens when I browse by curiosity to learn)

I sometimes use the no of responses and no of readers
as an indication, but that is not all.

What about
- thread starter being able to mark his thread between 0
and 100% for having had help to reach a solution
- future reader optionally could rank the usefulness of the thread
(not to their problem, but with respect to the originator' problem)

Then thread could be sorted accordingly, optionally, during searches.

- option might need to be disabled on some thread?
or N/A by default as not relevant to score it
- overide by moderator possible

Do not get me wrong, I think 99.9% of threads are useful
(this one might not be thought :-)
but when searching it is not always easy to find the relevant answer
or similar question to the one one have.
Also sometimes the thread's title is not informative enough

What do you think?
regards

I tend to have better results when using google to search LQ, especially int terms of finding the most relevant answer

FWIW there is a way to "rate" thread - almost no one ever uses it.

--jeremy

by all means, elaborate

The best and most effective way to rate or score a thread is simply for the thread starter to post a final followup message indicating that the issue was solved, along with the steps or actions that were needed to resolve the problem. Very few people however actually do that, unfortunately.

I would encourage everyone that if you start a new thread, and someone makes a recommendation that solves the problem (or even if you find the solution independently), to *please* take a few seconds to return to your thread and post a followup message that describes the solution. That would be a tremendous help to future LQ'ers who might have the same question, and it would help make LQ an even better resource for the Linux community. Thanks -- J.W.

There is a "Rate This Thread" dropdown below each thread that allows you to select a rating of 1-5.

--jeremy

wow, that should really be advertised more.

And don't forget Affero (the little "Thanks" button below each thread).

Adding to LQ.org > LinuxAnswers > How To Ask a Question
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...icle&artid=277

Maybe this above need editing where it says
"Please don't just vanish or walk away without saying Thanks"

a suggestion for addition:
(Will cross post a link in discuss this article for the how to)

- rephrase title of thread if it can be more explicit now that you have solved your problem
(edit your first entry of the thread)
- feedback on where the error /problem came from in the first place (if known)
(add to the thread)
- rate the Thread: go to menu, very end of page, center of page
- add solved_ or success_ as keyword to the thread title

Doohhh. I asked a daft question in the first place!
Some did before I am sure ;-). Oh well, it is like a FAQ now.

What do you think of solved_ or success_ as keywords, that could
make searches easier than without the underscore
(because of unsolved, no success etc.).

Am going to edit the title of the thread soon :-)

Regards

Originally posted by jeremy There is a "Rate This Thread" dropdown below each thread that allows you to select a rating of 1-5.

Oh. NOW I found it for the first time. And I can tell you why it isn't used on a regular basis : It is too far away from the thread('s last posting).

No really, Jeremy, who will scroll down after reading the last words? Well, if the rating button was right there at the last post (and more eye-catching, not some teeny-weeny thingy sitting lost amid other buttons), there might be more success with it...

@Emmanuel_uk Currently you can't edit the title of the threads...

- rephrase title of thread if it can be more explicit now that you have solved your problem (edit your first entry of the thread)

Unfortunately this will not change the topic title as it appears on the forum display. Only the administrator can change the title of a thread.

Unfortunately this will not change the topic title as it appears on the forum display.

I have noticed, but still, once one has clicked on a thread of the forum display, then
the subject of the first post (that can be edited by the author) would/can be more
meaningfull, and could contain the keyword solved_ or success_ or whatever.

That is the post subject line of the thread (post #1) can be edited, and it is possible
to make it different from the thread title. At least one can improve a thread
straight away.

It is not in the guidelines, but sometimes people re-edit the first post
to put some sort of summaries (in some cases it is possible to do so).
That is great thing to do.
Ok it can be confusing: is the concise info at the beginning or at the end of the
thread now? I always look at both first and last post of a thread because of this.

I know all these are good ideas, but who will follow them? I don't think even 1% of them will bother to return and post a solution to a problem which has been solved.

A lot of people ask a question, get an answer and then disappear into the mists of the internet without any comments.

not completely, I surf this forum looking for thread with one reply, and I look at related threads with less than 5 posts. I don't think as many fols are going unasnwered as you say.