Thanks for the feedback. A couple comments:

* We have no plans to add an "ignore first post" type functionality, but it's possible we'd consider some kind of manual bump the OP could use a single time to bring the thread to the top of the forum without having to post.

* Would the addition of an "unanswered" feed that keys off the solved status of a thread mitigate some of the concerns here (or be beneficial to LQ)?

--jeremy

Manual bump - dislike. You'd get people complaining about only having one! Just keep adding more info to the thread (what you tried, what worked, what didn't) to keep it floating.

Unanswered feed: could work. Would need a date cut off because there are an awful lot of solved threads that aren't marked as solved (due to the fact of the age of the thread, most likely).
List would likely start as huge and go down as people marked their threads as solved (due to a "please mark your threads as solved" drive?)

TG

Manual bump? Definitely an awesome idea. I'd certainly feel a lot more optimistic about my threads if I knew I could throw them to the top of the list once if they didn't get enough attention.

In response to titanium_geek: I highly doubt that anyone would actually /complain/ about having only one bump, and even if they did it would still be better than having none. The problem with just "adding more info to the thread" is that it throws up your reply count, giving people the /impression/ that your thread has received attention when it hasn't. (I know, because that is one method I use everyday to determine whether or not to look into threads.)

As to an "unanswered" (i.e., "unsolved") list: While the idea has merit as an abstract idea, I don't see how it would have any practical benefit when less then one-tenth of solved threads actually get marked solved.

CoderMan

I just want to add some moral support to manual bump vote

to anyone

altho it may not be the OP's theme....I think Jeremy from time to time...meaning always...would like a smaller zero reply list. This has been covered before I know....but I am still hopeful.....that moderators might ....if they have time...laughs.....look at a post see an EDIT from OP....looks ok....mark its [SOLVED]

if its a howto....instant reply to remove it from zero replies?

--ditto a post containing a link on info....news....why aussie beach babes love me....why I love BrianL and other such trivia.

Yes it would be nice if replies are correct but heck we are not perfect! Whatcha expect for free?

regards

If the manual bump only became visible after the autobumps are exhausted and as long as you only get a limited number of bumps, it would be a good idea. Though, really, if a thread goes unanswered for a time it's usually because the question is poorly phrased or there's very little info in it - far better to post to get clarification than just empty bump it.

I would like some kind of indication: "this thread has been bumped by the author/thread starter" - that would be good.

TG

+1

I like this idea...manual bump only after auto-bump is exhausted; then you only have 1-2 manual bumps after that.

Maybe only give manual bumps to people that actually mark their questions as [Solved] as an intensive to actually mark your questions as answered....



-C

I am for not changing it.
Because: I have not noticed a trend of bad first posts.

I think Jeremy's ideas are worth considering. I agree that bad first posts are actually rare, but I still think is is occasionally a problem.

Actually, allowing OPs to indicate their problem was unsolved may increase the number of solutions. If they knew that the poster could say, in effect, "that's irrelevant" or "you haven't understood", some might feel bolder about offering a suggestion to the more obscure questions.

And there are other situations where it could be useful--- If I research someone's problem and find it to be a known issue with a known solution but that solution doesn't work because of, say, an unknown hardware compatibility issue, the OP is more than welcome to thank me for my effort but mark my post as unhelpful. Flagging more technically-minded members to the fact that his/her problem is unsolved would be nice; However, I think a feed should run off an "unsolved" tag or a zero-number of helpful posts rather than the solved status.

hi.....here's a wild idea FYI

if we lived in a perfect world.....and the gurus could program it....the OP seeing a reply...marks it solved......if they think it is....even thanks posters....BUT if not solved or not understood....they flag their post unsolved.

2) We do not have a link to zero reply threads now because they become irrelevant.

The new link would be to unsolved posts.

autobump would stil work there in the unsolved posts.


3) But here are the current dangers (sorry if too strong a term)

a) OP did not understand they had the answer so people are then challenged to write a better reply?...if they feel like it
b) OP refuses to mark as solved
c) OP ...believing in freebies....continues to flag each reply as unsolved as they are after...."the perfect reply" for their wishes

4) Again...unfortunately for this wild idea to have any merit....mods would have to step in and do their own flagging of solved or remove from unsolved stream and virtually spank the OP for being selfish?.....ok spanking is against the rules but I did say virtually

LOL

True, any implementation of any method to further probe for better answers will ultimately have it's abuses. Perhaps it could be done in beta to see if the pros outweigh the cons?

BTW, I don't recall seeing anywhere in LQ rules or faqs where spanking isn't allowed.

Cheers

aus9 spanks himself