Suggestions and Feedback

**Foundationflash** · 11-02-2007, 02:11 PM

In some of the problem/solution type forums (eg the coding forums) I think it would be a nice idea if threads could be marked as "solved" by the person that started the thread. Then one could look at the thread list as a whole, and concentrate on the ones that were unsolved.

I'm not sure whether it's entirely possible, but I think I've seen it elsewhere.

**mgraphic** · 11-08-2007, 11:26 PM

I tend to disagree, because this is not really a help desk forum, but an open discussion community.

**vangogh** · 11-09-2007, 02:06 AM

Harry it makes sense for those looking to solve the problem, but it's not always clear when a problem is solved. I think the only one who can make that determination is the thread starter who doesn't always come back.

The threads also have value to people reading them long after the question was asked and labeling the threads as solved/unsolved might keep people from one or the other when they could still find the information they were looking for.

It's an interesting idea, though. I know where Keith is coming from. We aren't a help desk, but at the same time I can see some value in knowing if the original issue has been solved. Maybe a way to add a color coded icon as a visual cue. We'd still be relying on the thread starter to make the issue resolved and it's probably not realistic to think that will happen.

**seolman** · 11-09-2007, 02:38 AM

Another issue is: sometimes there are several ways to solve a problem so someone could actually come along later and offer an even better (or more appropriate in some cases) solution.

**vangogh** · 11-09-2007, 02:50 AM

That's a good point. I think the suggestion has merit in some respects, but I think in the end it would be unmanageable and there are also many reasons not to mark the threads as solved.

**Learning Newbie** · 11-09-2007, 03:20 PM

Suggestion definitely has merit.

Let's borrow from the free market, though. If the question is solved to the satisfaction of the person who asked a ? they probably let the thread die. I asked a bit of an embarrassing one in the blogging forum, and while I wouldn't mind marking it closed, other people have started to ask about whether I'm self hosted or piggy backing on WP, and about how the problem came up in the first place. Seems like "the market" decided even if my particular issue was solved, it's still good to know how it came up, how it got solved, and what all's involved.