Subcultureoftwo_small
Reputation: 1892

What's the best way to give follow-up info on a question?

I've answered a few questions where I was interested in what the asker ended up doing or how matters turned out, and I've asked a few questions myself where people commented in the thread weeks later to know what I ended up doing.

What's the best way to pass on follow-up info? If I'm the question-asker, I can't edit my original question to add the info, and posting info to each and every individual comment thread to ensure the person gets a notification is tedious, and bothers the posters that don't care.

Maybe a little "follow-up" window in the sidebar where people can click if interested, which doesn't clutter up the question stream?

Hat tip to Stinkbug, who kind of asked a similar question a year ago with no reply:
http://questionland.com/questions/1599-how-does-one-later-clarify-update-an-answer-so-that-the-questioner-is-aware-of

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  • 555_pinout_small
    Reputation: 1090
    Moderator

    Sacrelicious and CrazyCat Lady,

    First off, let me apologize for not answering Stinkbug's original question. Quite pathetic really. We'll do better.

    Second, I agree with all your suggestions.

    Followup on results: I'm not exactly sure how to implement this but I will confer with Gnome. It's a subject that we have discussed in the past. The simplest may be to have another section for "results" which can be completed after the mushroom is awarded.

    Following a question: This is something we've wanted for a long time and it's simply been bumped in favor of things like mobile etc. But I know for a fact that the Gnome is dedicated to making this happen.

    Awarding Mushrooms: You know that you can always give someone a mushroom and then change it later based on either a better answer or a better result. I know it's not great to give and then take away, but probably better than forgetting about it. In the end may the best answer win the mushroom, so when you have one that warrants a mushroom then award it and change it if something better comes along.

    Commenting on a question: I know you didn't specifically bring this up but I think it would be good to be able to ask for clarification on a question (essentially a comment). THe only concern here is the desire to keep things as simple as possible and ensure that people don't make the mistake of answering a question in the clarification/comment area. But that's a simple usability issue which we should be able to solve.

    So, when will it all happen? It's hard to give specifics because the list of things is long and the Gnome can only do so much. The best I can do for now is say that at a minimum they are all things we want to make happen and will do our best to release as soon as feasible.

    Thanks for the feedback it is much appreciated and helps make sure that we stay focused on doing the right things.

    I'll be back to you when I have spoken to the Gnome and have a better idea of timing.

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1 Other Answer

  • Memstad2011_copy_small
    Reputation: 593

    I'm not really answering, but I can't comment on a question. I have the same issue as Sacrelicious and in particular when it's a question in the featured subject of the week, and I'd like to comment or give a mushroom but didn't have time that week to "babysit" my question, then I'm not able to comment after the week is over.

    Like a lot of people, I like to think about what answer is best, wait until several come in, and even try out some of the advice before I give a mushroom, and I prefer to explain why I gave the mushroom.

    I also like to follow questions I am not involved in, and sometimes I can't find them again.

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