How do you remove an answer after you have given it?

[ontarioice]

I ask because this happened on the Herculis question today. I had to go out this morning - 5 hours behind you lot - and when I came back I was checking if my answer had been acceptable to Cheshunt and found that 2 answers that were there before have now disappeared. How is that done?

[JoolsTwo]

As far as I know the only way is if 3 or more people report the answer for some reason. Just what have you been saying on here ontarioice? :-)

[ontarioice]

To JimJools: Well, I gave the answer Nestor. Someone, I can't remember who, corrected me and said "Hector is the correct answer to/for this question." (Or words to that effect) . Then Teacher1 came in and said he agreed with me. I went back to the question after I came home this afternoon to see which answer Cheshunt had accepted and found that the "Hector is the correct answer etc," had been removed. Why and How is my question now.

[JoolsTwo]

Seems strange, but the there are some strange people on here some times. Now this will probably removed. :-)

[teacher1]

Cannot give you an answer, but in the last week I have had 5 answers removed and I haven't got a clue why. I haven't given any bad answers or been rude - It's a puzzle to me !!!!!!!!!!!

[shaneystar2]

I have had crossword answers removed before ..pathetic in the extreme.
I can't see why, because it needs three people to report an answer before it is removed for consideration by the Editor .
The only thing I can think of is that it is one of these bloody trolls who have multiple usernames which enables them to press the report button three times.
By the way Nestor is correct ..he was a wise old King when the Trojan Wars began ..Hector was a young man and a Trojan Prince.

[ontarioice]

JimJools; It wasn't my answer that was removed it was their own answer that disappeared along with two others that the person had answered ahead of the Nestor question. I now note that MacSmith and Sarumite came in later and said that 14a and 16d had not been answered. But they were answered. They were the first two questions answered prior to me being corrected re Hector/Nestor. So answers were made to disappear along with the "correction" which was addressed to me after I answered correctly. In other words there is no trace of the person who submitted answers to 14A and 16d and who corrected me. I'm still asking why and how. I don't think it's "strange" people as you say, but someone wanted their own answers removed and I'm wondering how it is done and why? Shouldn't all answers be in the open so that the person posing the question can choose, correct or incorrect? It sometimes happens that one of us answers a question incorrectly. So what! It's not the Brain's Trust is it?

[ontarioice]

Shaneystar2: Isn't there a way to make sure that multiple user names can be deleted?
The funny thing about it all is that it wasn't MY answer that was deleted but the answers that came from the person who corrected me with his/her answer which was Hector and incorrect. His/her first two answers were prefectly correct so why they had to be removed too beats me. That's why I said in my previous post - so you make a mistake - so what!

[JoolsTwo]

I don't think you can remove your own answer. If you can then I don't know how to do it. Maybe someone can enlighten me if it is possible.

[ontarioice]

If you look at the original Herculis question posed by Cheshunt if looks as though the thread is okay - no gaps etc., between my reply and Teacher1 saying he/she agreed with me. So being an editor myself, I'd say the red pencil was liberally applied.
Anyway, I do enjoy being on this site and know that most of you are very sincere and are aware that if you answer incorrectly you'll not lose a million bucks - or was that the Marlboro quiz. lol.
This part will probably get deleted but you can bet your sweet a** that I'll be on the lookout for "strange" disappearing answers in the future.
Thanks for putting up with this little rant of mine.

[shaneystar2]

People can have as many user names as they like unfortunately ..they can create different email addresses for each name and in theory can then have a conversation with themselves which has been proved time and time again by the drivel in the Body and Soul category.They must be technical wizards because I can just about cope in finding out where the switch is on this machine!
Also beware of imposters ..people who use your name but change one digit or add a dot or dash for example and then purport to be you and post rubbish !. This has happened to me .

[ontarioice]

Shaneystar2: Thanks for the advice. As I said, I will certainly be on the lookout for anything that doesn't seem to be kosher.
Some of the folks I know are computer geeks so perhaps they would be able to do a trace from this end if I find any more deletes where there once were answers. They tell me that nothing ever really disappears from a computer and all can be eventually traced.
At this point in time, I think I've ranted enough about this minor incident so will give it a rest but will keep my eyes peeled in future.
Cheers

[Murielmci]

I moderate on another site so you can be sure that I am very careful how I post - you know, setting a good example and yet I have had 3 posts removed. There was no profanity and although I can't remember the posts I am pretty sure they were correct.

I think there must be "bot" at work removing posts with keywords or something like that. Why else would so many nice posts from all of us go walkabout yet some fairly abusive ones sometimes remain.

[ontarioice]

Murielmci: In this case the answers disappeared and then reappeared when I started to delve into it.
Don't we have somewhere where we can report this kind of thing?
Anyway, it's over for now and I'll just be very careful and watchful in future.