You can now marked your own thread as solved : BETA

I'm happy to report that we're now experimenting with an often requested feature here at LQ. The original poster in a thread can now mark the thread as [Solved] by clicking "Mark this thread as solved" under "Thread Tools". During the initial BETA rollout, this functionality is only available to mods, Contributing Members and members with over 150 posts. After we iron out any bugs and assess whether we'll be keeping the functionality, it will be rolled out to the entire LQ member base. As always, your feedback is appreciated.

--jeremy

Hi Jeremy,

Nice idea! I wonder though, will/does that functionality include a 'solved' icon for the left-hand side of the thread list (for example, on the 'View Latest Posts' listing, those little icons on the left) or is it simply the [SOLVED] text identifier prepended into the thread title?

FWIW, I like the icon idea; maybe a green envelope with a check-mark on it, sort of thing?

Anyhow, thanks!

Sasha

It's the [SOLVED] text identifier prepended into the thread title. (Just tried it on one of my old threads. )

Personally, I like it! Excellent feature, Jeremy!

Cheers

Jeremy,

do you think it's a good idea to make "solved" threads closed (or perhaps only to be added to by the OP)?

That may solve part of the zombie problem that keeps cropping up.

Edit - or perhaps automatically close in 7 days or such.

I have to ask... What are these 'zombies' ?

Dead threads from some time back (I've seen them as old as 5 or so years) that people decide to tack a post onto the end of.

I think it's a great idea. However, I don't think they should be able to close their own threads ... this can be abused.

Originally Posted by H_TeXMeX_H I think it's a great idea. However, I don't think they should be able to close their own threads ... this can be abused.

I agree. Also, sometimes it can be useful to add new or updated info to a slightly older thread, unlike what billymayday mentioned, which I have seen quite often. (Opening a 5-year-old thread just to say "Me too" is a bit ridiculous.)

Cheers

We have no plans to close a thread once it's been marked solved. While the issue may have been solved for the OP, other members may have a similar problem or wish to add something to the thread. Thanks for the feedback.

--jeremy

I have now opened this features to all members with at least one post. Additional feedback is still welcome.

--jeremy

Personally I'd support closing at the same time (automatically). Anybody else that has similar issues could refer to the solved (and closed) thread in their post. Even something like "I tried [http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blah-blah-blah but it didn't work".
Things evolve, a lot of solutions in old threads may no longer be valid - but they should be available (unmolested) for reference.

Originally Posted by syg00 Personally I'd support closing at the same time (automatically). Anybody else that has similar issues could refer to the solved (and closed) thread in their post. Even something like "I tried [http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blah-blah-blah but it didn't work". Things evolve, a lot of solutions in old threads may no longer be valid - but they should be available (unmolested) for reference.

Actually I don't. Sometimes the problem might recur and there needs to be a follow up. In such cases, I don't think closing automatically should take place.

I believe that the moderators can handle this on a case-by-case basis.

Originally Posted by harishankar Actually I don't. Sometimes the problem might recur and there needs to be a follow up. In such cases, I don't think closing automatically should take place. I believe that the moderators can handle this on a case-by-case basis.

I think it might be a good idea. I mean if a thread is 3-5 years old, the chances of it being useful are much lower, especially if nobody has replied in 3-5 years. If somebody posts in it, things will just get complicated.

While, in principle, there is a broad agreement on older threads, sometimes there can be value in leaving them open. For threads that haven't had a post in 6+ months, a warning is shown that the thread is old and it may be better to start a new one. Unfortunately, in the rush to post, reading things goes out of the window. There is no control for that...

Originally Posted by XavierP While, in principle, there is a broad agreement on older threads, sometimes there can be value in leaving them open. For threads that haven't had a post in 6+ months, a warning is shown that the thread is old and it may be better to start a new one. Unfortunately, in the rush to post, reading things goes out of the window. There is no control for that...

maybe there should be a second nag screen:

Warning: this thread is really old and the information is likely not relevant, it is recommend you make a new thread, but if you insist click Ok:

Ok Cancel