Best Answer feature a flop.

[Gromit]

Just looked at the first page on ChatterBank and News. Of the 40 questions displayed, not one single one has a best answer.

Also, in this age when sites should be designed for use with mobile devices in mind (SmartPhones, iPods etc), the SUBMIT button is perilously close to the advert. I lost my typed in answer more than once through hitting the advert link.

Time to think again.

[AB Editor]

"Also, in this age when sites should be designed for use with mobile devices in mind (SmartPhones, iPods etc), the SUBMIT button is perilously close to the advert. I lost my typed in answer more than once through hitting the advert link."

Adverts should open in new tabs. Will test here and see if anything can be done.

"Just looked at the first page on ChatterBank and News. Of the 40 questions displayed, not one single one has a best answer."

Still early days. We're waiting for a couple of weeks worth of data before assessing the impact.

[wolf63]

Give us an incentive to hit the 'best answer' button - chocolate works for me.

[Zhukov]

nice when one wins *Best answer* in Crosswords..! ;-))

[carrust]

I just tick my own replies:-)

[weecalf]

Why have it .Is best answer the correct answer ,most amusing or the down right stupidest reply.

[shaneystar2]

If I ask a crossword clue and I get half a dozen people all giving me same (correct) answer who do I pick as best ?
Easier just to say thank you .

[Squitty]

bah humbug gromit. Its not a flop for me - I like a few extra things to play with every now and again.
Maybe its time to publish a top 'best answer' scores table. so we can play spot the smart @rse.

[AB Editor]

"Maybe its time to publish a top 'best answer' scores table. so we can play spot the smart @rse."

Yep, planned but wont be implemented for a while. Other features, which may work as an incentives are such things as the Best Answer count in public profile and a separate tabs for best answers in public profile.

We'll get there eventually.

[JandyAF]

Let me see - has Gromit chosen a best answer from all these? No!!!

[naomi24]

If few are using it, maybe it's time to flog the whole of that space to advertisers. I would.

[boxtops]

I've never seen the point of Best Answer, even before the massage. Naomi's got the right idea - stick in another advert.

[naomi24]

//I've never seen the point of Best Answer//

Nor me, Boxy. I've seen a few where people have chosen their own answers - so clearly 'best answers' are a matter of opinion.

[chelle7272]

I guess the point is that if someone has the same query, they will know which answer was the most accurate / helpful.

[cathfromsaron]

and people who ask questions don't seem to return to than people either! x

[Robinia]

As shaney said, several people could supply the correct factual answer...and the same goes for questions which require general advice or opinions. No need to choose a best answer.

[smart1]

I think it's a harmless feature, so why not use it? I've been using it.

[Toby570]

Chelle7272, In the question posters opinion, however, It might not be the best answer.
Yes, lets play favorites, A league table of smart ar5es. The thing is though it's going to be a short list and everyone knows who'll be on it..so, again, no point.

[Gromit]

// Adverts should open in new tabs. //

Just clicked on that one >>>>
on my iPhone using the Safari browser and it definitely does NOT open in a new tab or window. It takes you off of the site, which I assume is precisely what you do not want to happen.

[jno]

this is supposed to be an archive so in future years people will still be coming here to find the best rail route from Penge to Nanjing. If the question has been asked before it would save them time to be directed at once to the best answer given rather than ploughing through the ones that were wrong, chat or off-topic.

I suppose in the case shaney raises, you'd give it to the first correct answer, but that's for the OP to decide.

[vivandorron]

I acknowledge that I am very rarely, (indeed if ever) in the category of 'Best Answer'.

Pity the Ed didn't have a poll first to establish if the majority of ABers really wanted a 'Best Answer' button. I don't intend using it and agree with the views of all those who have expressed opinions, herewith, that it is unnecessary. Nevertheless, I shall continue to thank folk, both individually and/or collectively for their answers to questions which I post; along with further feedback, if appropriate.

Ron.