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For how many days do undecided questions stay in the "undecided" list before the best answer is awarded?
This question is specifically for newer users, say Green Belt and below - obviously anyone can answer, but I will be awarding best answer to the user who gives the most detailed answer that they've researched themselves, with sources provided and has a belt level of green or below :)
answers (3)
The asker is given four days to select the 'best answer'. If no answer is chosen (i.e. Asker chose 'no best answer' or takes no action), the question is labeled 'undecided' and the public gets to vote on the best answer. This question will stay in the category and will be open for voting for two days after it is deemed 'undecided'.
If the question continues to be without a best answer, the question is closed, and if there is a tip, it is refunded back to the person who asked the question.
To get a 'best answer', you answer should be researched, informative, and to the point. These answers are usually simple and come with reputable sources.
-quote-
For example, if a question is about losing weight and you are providing information about low-calorie foods, providing a link to a chart or table that lists foods and their caloric content will not only support your answer, but also provide the asker with helpful information above and beyond what you have explained in your answer.
-end quote-
If the question continues to be without a best answer, the question is closed, and if there is a tip, it is refunded back to the person who asked the question.
To get a 'best answer', you answer should be researched, informative, and to the point. These answers are usually simple and come with reputable sources.
-quote-
For example, if a question is about losing weight and you are providing information about low-calorie foods, providing a link to a chart or table that lists foods and their caloric content will not only support your answer, but also provide the asker with helpful information above and beyond what you have explained in your answer.
-end quote-
source(s):
http://www.mahalo.com/answers/tip_guidelines
http://www.mahalo.com/how-mahalo-answers-works
http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-get-a-best-answer-on-mahalo
http://www.mahalo.com/answers/tip_guidelines
http://www.mahalo.com/how-mahalo-answers-works
http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-get-a-best-answer-on-mahalo
| Asker's rating: |
Excellent answer - thankyou! ;)
voted helpful: lilyloretta, fallen_angel21, lesliec, seshankrishnan
nice question... i like that you are only awarding green belt or below... encourages our newer members to dig deep and learn their way around!
source(s):
my 2 cents...
my 2 cents...
tags: mahalo
voted helpful: lilyloretta
Here's something someone might want to research about this. The standard answer only seems to apply to questions which attract an answer during the first couple of days.
If there is no answer and the four days have gone by, it seems that the question sits out there waiting for an answer. The odd part is if someone answers weeks later. I'm not sure, but it seems it can continue to sit out there more or less indefinitely. Also, the asker either doesn't get to choose it as best answer or else doesn't get reminded to do so in time. Eventually someone may stumble on it and vote, which may eventually finish up the question.
So what I'm specifically saying in this answer to your question is that the standard answer does not apply all the time. Something different happens when a question is not answered until weeks later.
If there is no answer and the four days have gone by, it seems that the question sits out there waiting for an answer. The odd part is if someone answers weeks later. I'm not sure, but it seems it can continue to sit out there more or less indefinitely. Also, the asker either doesn't get to choose it as best answer or else doesn't get reminded to do so in time. Eventually someone may stumble on it and vote, which may eventually finish up the question.
So what I'm specifically saying in this answer to your question is that the standard answer does not apply all the time. Something different happens when a question is not answered until weeks later.
this sounds like one for the bug report
-quote-
Something different happens when a question is not answered until weeks later.
-quote-
I don't know about that - I know that @chriswingate, a few others and I have been answering some old questions from May for the last few days. The ones that I answered two days ago were sent to voting almost straight away (as I assume it's supposed to happen when it's a question that's been unanswered for more than four days) and people have been voting on them for about a day and a half.
Assuming the voting process goes smoothly and there are no bugs, the best answers for those questions should be awarded sometime in the early hours of the morning (here in the UK) or perhaps midday tomorrow. I forget what time the questions went to voting.
Something different happens when a question is not answered until weeks later.
-quote-
I don't know about that - I know that @chriswingate, a few others and I have been answering some old questions from May for the last few days. The ones that I answered two days ago were sent to voting almost straight away (as I assume it's supposed to happen when it's a question that's been unanswered for more than four days) and people have been voting on them for about a day and a half.
Assuming the voting process goes smoothly and there are no bugs, the best answers for those questions should be awarded sometime in the early hours of the morning (here in the UK) or perhaps midday tomorrow. I forget what time the questions went to voting.
Just because it happened to your questions doesn't mean it happened to mine. I have ones sitting out there from months ago.
"Just because it happened to your questions doesn't mean it happened to mine."
Ditto.
Ditto.
I have a "New Question" in my private question list that has been answered for months and is still showing.
One thing I seem to remember happening is answers occasionally would not "register". As in the question would show "0 answers" and when you opened the question, an answer had been made. I'm wondering if this might be the cause of the "strange cases"
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Have a look at this great page to see how to get a best answer on Mahalo :)
http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-get-a-best-answer-on-mahalo
Did you edit it since I replied? Please say you did, otherwise I may be going mad :s
I swear, when I read it earlier, the bit at the bottom that you've put in -quote- wasn't there...
I thought my eyes were decieving me! :p