Query For Ab Editor

[Quizmonster]

I posted an entry entitled High Time in the News section recently and have since then certainly not - unless by touching something inadvertently - chosen a 'Best Answer'. However, I now see that one such answer HAS been given that accolade. Since the chosen answer was the second one offered, how on earth would I or anyone else have chosen it as 'best'?
I am not trying to denigrate the answer, as such, but I was never aware that such choices were simply taken out of one's hands. My query, therefore, is: "Are they?"

[Mamyalynne]

I think I saw Ed do it once on a thread a year or so back - it was done as a joke and all was fine. I doubt it is done at any other time, can't see what it would achieve.

[slaney]

It all depends on the subsection - take Travel for instance.
If someone wants to know how to get from Gare du Nord to Gare Montparnasse, and Buenchico comes along with one of his very helpful and detailed answers I see no reason why that shouldn't be awarded BA even though it's the only one.

In other topics where debate plays more of a part - News and R&S for example it would only be fair to award BA when the thread has run a reasonable course.

For Crosswords and Q&P there is usually just one correct answer, and sometimes as many as 4/5 of these can appear in the first minute or two, so it's up to the poster really - BA is only awarded in a relatively small percentage of questions in these subsections.

[jno]

I don't often go into Crosswords as people usually get quick answers and award BA points to the first one, which seems only fair. I don't know that it's abuse, though, I think it's what the system is for: identifying correct answers for anyone asking the same question.

Of course a lot of people do repeat the question without noticing that it's already been answered. But it may be that lots more do see the BA and therefore don't ask it again.

[Gromit]

'Best Answer' should be re-worded, 'First Answer that agrees with me'.

[Sqad]

slaney

\\\BA is only awarded in a relatively small percentage of questions in these subsections. \\\

I would question that..........

If one examines the high BA scorers, the 1,000 plus in 14 month characters, one sees the majority of BA are in fact from Crosswords and in that group on ABer stands out like a sore thumb.

[Obiter]

Would it not be simpler merely to abolish the whole concept?

[Bazile]

What a relief ( me with only 18 BA ) - i thought that BA was a sort of competition , where the person with the most , at the end of the year , got a nice christmas hamper from AB towers .

[Quizmonster]

That's pretty-well what I was suggesting earlier, Gromit. Wouldn't it be wonderful if - just once - an OP chose an answer offering a view diametrically opposed to his/her own merely on the basis of its pure excellence?
Having said that, I might one day just do so.

[Sqad]

jno

\\\\I don't often go into Crosswords as people usually get quick answers and award BA points to the first one, which seems only fair\\\

Why?.....why is it fair? First answer Best Answer?......nonsense. just compare that to all the work that goes into other BA.......

In Crossowords OP..12 45.........First and BA 12.47.
How does that deserve BA?

[jno]

you get "BA airmiles", Bazile

[slaney]

Sqad - I hesitate to mention this as I should really get a life - but I checked once by going through 100 questions and it was about 16%...
...and my other points?

The BA thing doesn't really trouble me as it does you.

[Sqad]

Quizmonster.

\\\\Wouldn't it be wonderful if - just once - an OP chose an answer offering a view diametrically opposed to his/her own merely on the basis of its pure excellence? \\\

Forget it.....it won't happen.... and that BA doesn't bother me.....LOL

[jno]

it's fair because it would be less fair to award it to the second person who posted the same answer, and really unfair to give it to someone who gave a wrong answer.

Even solving a crossword clue requires effort.

[237SJ]

What`s the point of awarding them anyway? Likewise badges.

[Bazile]

looks like i'm still a ' virgin ' in this airmiles stake , jno

[Baldric]

Where's the News element in all this?

[Sqad]

slaney.........just pointing out something that I see as unfair.

I could name a Crossword ABer who gives 100% of answers...BEST ANSWER........even though on 2 occasions it has been incorrect.

An incorrect Best Answer.

[slaney]

Sqad Q.How does that deserve BA?
A.Because it is correct and quick

[jno]

the badges looked very nice when everyone wore theirs to the AB summer fete, 237SJ. Of course, some senior crossworders had to be wheeled in in barrows as they were staggering under the weight.

[Sqad]

jno

\\\\\Even solving a crossword clue requires effort.\\\\

Yeah! right!