Should HP auto select Best Answer to Questions you ask?

1. 87

   Suzie HQposted 12 years ago

   Should HP auto select Best Answer to Questions you ask?
   
   When Best Answer has not been awarded by the author of the question, in a reasonable time frame ( say 3 weeks ), do you think HP should auto select it?

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2. 95

   Glimmer Twin Fanposted 12 years ago

   I don't think HP should auto select the answer. I'm not even sure how they could determine best answer in an automatic format.   I have answered some questions where a best answer has never been chosen.  On a side note...your question prompted me to choose the best answer on 2 of my questions!  I had forgotten to do that.  Thanks Suzie!

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   1. 87

      Suzie HQposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Glimmer Twin Fan,
      Thanks for your comments! I've also answered questions that have never had a best answer selected and it was months ago. Maybe automated would be difficult. Glad the Q served as a reminder for you! Appreciate your interest!

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3. 81

   Nesbyteposted 12 years ago

   That's a pretty good idea actually. The only problem is that sometimes people can't select the best answer to a question - because there are many good answers; answers that are all "correct" if the question is subjective; there aren't any answer that really answer the question etc. I'm not sure how a machine could cope! I know I can't.

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   1. 87

      Suzie HQposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Nesbyte,
      Thanks for your input! It can be hard as you say, I know I have had that problem. Maybe some techie in HP could work something out! Just find a bit annoying at times when I see last answered 5 months ago and Q has been answered! Thanks!!

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4. 81

   jimmythejockposted 12 years ago

   sometimes the best answer is the lesser of a lot of bad answers, there are times really when there are no best answers and by not chosing a best answer you are leaving the door open for more answers in the future.
   I also believe that when we choose a best answer we are effectivly closing the question to new answers because who wants to answer a question that has already got a best answer.....jimmy

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   1. 37

      ChristinSposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you Jimmy.  I rarely if ever pick a "best" answer, because I feel it closes the door on a conversation.  Also, what if I like more than one and benefit why should I choose?

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   2. 87

      Suzie HQposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi jimmthejock,
      Hope your enjoying the AP! I am with you on lesser of a bad lot. I think it is no harm though to have a limit on time as more questions generate more activity - stale Q's with no replies in ages can be closed. Appreciate your interest

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5. 73

   BLACKANDGOLDJACKposted 12 years ago

   I don't select a Best Answer unless there clearly is one in my opinion. And speaking of opinion, that is also what selection of the Best Answer often is. You will note that on some political questions, the person asking the question states it in such a manner that you know what sort of answer is desired.
   
   I like the old system better where the votes showed on the answers. Based on such votes, a Best Answer could be automatically selected say after 30 days. I guess you could do the same thing on the thumbs up and down, but we wouldn't be seeing the results.

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   1. 87

      Suzie HQposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi BLACKANDGOLDJAKE,
      Good point, I also thought the old system was good to see how other's enjoyed or disliked comments. It was an indicator that could help choosing for many. Appreciate your thoughts, thanks!!

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6. 59

   fpherj48posted 12 years ago

   I might say YES if the time period is a month or more......hubbers are busy people and keeping up with everything is time consuming........The person who posed the question is the best one to choose, in the end.....but as has been said by one or 2 here, there may not even be a "best" answer to satisfy us.    I would never want HP to judge by votes or thumbs up and down.....BECAUSE THERE WILL ALWAYS BE THOSE FREAKS WHO HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN POKE IN AND OUT OF THE Q&A....JUST TO CLICK NEGATIVE BOXES, BECAUSE THAT'S THEIR IDEA OF "FUN"...........

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   1. 87

      Suzie HQposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi fpherj48,
      Nice to see you! As you say, a month maybe better or a bit longer even. Maybe a prompt sent to hubbers after a time frame would help them make a decision rather than leave to HP. Good thoughts and views, appreciate your interest! :-)

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7. 99

   chef-de-jourposted 12 years ago

   I think the best answer conundrum is best left to the person who poses the question!
   Choosing a best answer can be an interesting challenge, especially if the answers involve (reasonable) debate and clear thinking - not always easy to notice or detect!! But there are times when a question hits the nerve of Hubpages and lots of hubbers get involved so there is an incentive to put forward a decent response. If it's chosen as best answer there's a bit of recognition at least but i suspect that a lot of hubbers aren't too concerned when they're not chosen!
   
   HP I would say are not in a position to choose best answer and leave it to the hubbers to decide.

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   1. 87

      Suzie HQposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi chef!
      Thanks for jumping in, appreciate it! You make very valid points as always. At times it is challenging choosing an answer, I agree and there are times when  Q's spark debate which is good done in a reasonable manner. Thanks for your input!

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8. 88

   Sherry Hewinsposted 12 years ago

   No, HP absolutely should not auto select the best answer. Actually, they already do that by putting their best answer selection at the top of the list. I miss being able to see how many up or down votes an answer has, but I think part of the reason they changed it is that some people abused it by downvoting everything, and people get upset if they see their answer has been downvoted.

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   1. 87

      Suzie HQposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Sherry,
      Thanks for commenting. I know it was a problem people hopping about just randomly voting down answers which is not nice for anyone to see. Appreciate your thoughts!

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9. 0

   calculus-geometryposted 12 years ago

   I don't think HP should enact any more automated algorithmic policies than it already has. There are still some things that only a real live human being can do, and choosing the best answer to a real live human's question is one of them.

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   1. 87

      Suzie HQposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi calculus-geometry,
      Agree that it should be the humans that make the decision, it should be your choice. More in the event of Questions being left idle and not closed after a time frame. Appreciate your comments!

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