Answers section

1. 77

   LuisEGonzalezposted 10 years ago

   I rarely visit the answers section and spend a lot of time in the forums. Although this may not seem strange to some I have noticed that many of the questions are either months old or even years (average 2 years)
   
   Does it make sense to even have this section when most of the activity seems to occur in the forums?
   
   Just my two cents worth

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   1. 45

      Ericdierkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Blessed be that which is old and of no consequence. I ask folk here to help me out because I have a tendency to be crazy. They really do help straighten me out. And I attack HP here because they are my editors and publshers and it is good for me to lash out against those that hold my juice down to a palatable level. I need all you guys and appreciate any place where folk help me try.
      
      Now listen to this:
      <iframe width="640" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ya-ekUD4yTk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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   2. 79

      Mary McShaneposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      When I joined HP, I was directed to use the FAQ's for answers to my questions since most newbies have the same questions over and over and the answers are there.  So  I found FAQ's valuable.
      
      I came to the forums because of topical interests, but also found some of the answers were updated from the FAQ's (some of which have outdated info or info that no longer applies because the concept has been discontinued).  I also found the forums to be of value.
      
      So the bottom line for me is that both have their place here on HP, one as a first pit stop and the other as the classroom with interactive real live people to answer current questions or elaborate on FAQ's answers.
      
      TY

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   3. 86

      Cardisaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Remember that the answer section is on your subdomain and hubbers earn from it unlike the forums. A lot of people prefer the answer section because it's not as volatile as the forums are in terms of attacks, trolls and spam. I sometimes prefer over there than here.

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      1. 73

         brakel2posted 10 years agoin reply to this

         It is actually a learning experience. Many people ask interesting questions, and we learn from it. Several of my questions get to Google Analytics. I love to learn, so it is helpful to me. There are those who like it and those who don't. I believe it makes money for some hubbers and also for Staff. I know there is misunderstanding about what the purpose is for the questions. I have written a few hubs from it. I like all the opinions about it, so thanks for posting.

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         1. 86

            Cardisaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            @ Brakel, I think you were replying to Luis not me...right?

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            1. 74

               Barbara Kayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Cardisa, Because the questions and answers are on our subdomain, I wonder if they can bring it down on Google. Look at some of the spelling and poor English used in the answers. I was just reading the answers to some and was surprised how poorly written they were.

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               1. 32

                  Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  That's a very good point, Barbara!

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               2. 86

                  Cardisaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  My strategy is that I only ask questions which require an intelligent answer. If you hardly ask questions you have nothing to worry about. Your questions are on your subdomain. Those people with poorly asked questions must worry about their own subs.
                  
                  On the other hand you  are right. If you ask questions which get answer that are irrelevant, a lot of typos and bad grammar it may affect your subdomain. But, the forums and questions and answers are supposed to count as dynamic URLS and not as links back to content.

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   4. 86

      Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The original purpose of the Answers section was to generate ideas for Hubs.  It's never worked well, and confuses newbies (who post questions about Hubbing there, and often get silly answers from other newbies as a result).   I don't know why HubPages persists with it, really.

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      1. 72

         relacheposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         I second this.

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   5. 61

      Froggy213posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I have to disagree that the answers section is not a good resource. from time to time I use it to get out of writer's block.
      
      The forum, for the most part, is just a argument spot.
      
      Personally, I would do away with the forum before I ever would delete the answers section.
      
      Ok, now let me have it... LOL

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      1. 45

         Ericdierkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         &%^#$@!

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         1. 61

            Froggy213posted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Don't make me report you for that obscene language Eric. LOL
            Remove it NOW!

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      2. 86

         Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         I would also vote for doing away with the Topical forums - I think the Q&A section would serve that function admirably. 
         
         If you click on the "switch to hubpages forums" button at the top of the forum page and leave it there, you'll avoid most of the arguments!

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2. 60

   paradigmsearchposted 10 years ago

   I do occasionally get an AdSense click from my Q&A section. So, there's still money to be made there.

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3. 73

   brakel2posted 10 years ago

   I agree Cardisa. Some questions and answers are poor quality. Staff used to remove some questions. The questions and answers on my feed seem ok

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4. 73

   brakel2posted 10 years ago

   I guess I am like Cardisa in that I try to ask intelligent questions that require good answers and only occasionally have poor grammar and spelling results. I told Simone once that I would like more emphasis from staff about the purpose of questions due to newbies. I agree with Froggy that questions are more important than some forums  I appreciate the good responses to my questions. One of my most popular hubs is one where hubbers' answers to a question were an important part of my hub. Their answers helped so much.

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