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psionandy psionandy
 
M$1.25 October 21, 2009 08:51 AM

Whats the best time to ask a question on Mahalo?

I know that adding a tip, and asking 'good questions' help to get good answers, but is there a time factor as well?

If so, what is the best time to ask a question? and why is that a good time?
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Interesting: buddawiggi M$0.25

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buddawiggi buddawiggi
 
 October 22, 2009 12:02 PM
My time zone is EST
In my experience if I want to be active in the question I have asked as it happens (comments, helpful/unhelpful) then I have the best results if I ask the question between 3-5pm EST(12-2pmPST). This helps with the question because the majority in Mahalo users are in the US and it seems the daytime and early afternoon are quite active. This gets the question seen by many people.

I also have good results when I let a question go overnight. When it is 10pm EST (7pm PST) where I live (NH) then the west coast is just finishing dinner and I am ready to get some sleep. I have found this time gets good results as well but not quite as much activity as the earlier times so I like to ask questions that don't require or wouldn't necessarily benefit from me being active in the q&a. I also enjoy waking up to find the answers and respond to them all in the morning.
Asker's Rating:
• Thanks... after doing a bit of timezone converting thats sort of what I thought..

However the flip side is that there doesn't seem to be a 'bad time for asking questions' which is also a good thing.


Tags: timezones, questions

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chriswinga... chriswinga...
 
October 22, 2009 12:48 PM
Being in EST also I can second this.

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mithrandir mithrandir
 
October 22, 2009 09:25 AM
There are always people around to answer questions, but there are certain 'slow' periods, which are basically weekends and US night-time.
It's a bit of a balance-game: far less questions get posted during those periods, so your question will be on the main-page and on the spy-trace much longer, but there are less people to answer the question.

Also, at certain times, many questions come in at the same time, especially since some people 'collect' their questions, and then post them all at once. If your question is just before a batch like that, it is likely to pass by unseen.

My personal experience is that US day-time during weekdays have the highest responsiveness, while EU daytime will get you the largest frontpage time.

Then again, during EU daytime, I'm here :)
I hope this helps.

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romeo0830 romeo0830
 
October 22, 2009 12:59 PM
i know when i was selling on ebay the best time to sell was about 5-10 p.m eastern time... This would ensure everyone from work would be able to see your listing as they come home and all the kids in school were out to see the listing as well but it wouldnt be to late where they would be in bed. I suggest the same for mahalo to ensure a good amount of people viewing your question.

mike !

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opher opher
 
October 22, 2009 01:22 PM
I'd say the best time to ask a question is when you have the thought. In today's rushed world I find that things that aren't high priority in life (and even at times those that are) get pushed off to the side. By the time we get back to them, if ever, we find we've lost the passion for them, or that they're no longer timely.

As stated in other answers here, there are pros and cons for any particular hour of the day. If your question is in a particular field where there happens to be one or two best answerer(s), then obviously it helps to post when s/he/they are active. However, if you know who the best answerer would be you could simply ask a direct question. Thus my conclusion is as stated above - ask when the thought occurs, and don't worry about holding it until a better time.

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ravi2483 ravi2483
 
October 22, 2009 02:29 PM
When you have time to ask question!

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tealmyster tealmyster
 
October 23, 2009 03:27 AM
I'm up all hours of the night (I'm Pacific) and it seems that around 1-3 am IO barely get answers or views...so that would be...3-5 your time? Good luck :)

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