Separating/Branding Resolved Cases in "Ask Others To ID"

[KoolChris]

Hi. I often enjoy going through Ask Others To Identify A Disco Song to help my fellow record collectors/enthusiasts to ID those tracks they've been trying to ID for years, in most cases.
But I've often found that separating Resolved cases from the still Unresolved would be a great aid in getting the job done. Could this be done?
Not necessarily putting resolved cases in a different area or suppressing them altogether, as when the sample links are still valid, they're a great way to discover new tracks to enjoy (first-hand experience here), but maybe creating an icon similar to the "locked thread" one, so would-be helpers can check the threads, and target those unresolved from the title page, without going through every thread with few or no responses, which isn't fail-proof by any means.

I usually target threads with 0, or up to 2 responses. In some cases, response n°1 will be the answer, while in other cases, you can have 10 answers mincing aroung the subject, asking for better samples, bumping etc.. with nobody having found the answer. Letting the thread starter (or, by default, moderators - yeah, give Johan some extra work!! Ha ha) brand the thread as "Resolved" when ID'd would help target Unresolved cases faster, thus ID those tracks faster, and make the whole process more effective. I'm sure there's plenty months-old cases still lingering around, with easy answers having been overlooked. As a matter of fact, I remember going back several pages in the forum, and providing the answer to an ID plea that was 2 or 3 months old (well, at least pretty old..).

Just an idea to better the site. I'm no programmer, so I have no idea of the feasability of this, but it seems it could be worth it if not too difficult to implement...

[Videoskooter]

Chris, it's a good idea but I don't know if it's technically possible.

So, if I get it right you want a visible sign, indicating that an identification of a track is successfully ended but that won't close the thread so that people can still post in it, right?

However, the icon you suggest is not a standard one and I don't know if it exists or that it can be build in.

We'll keep you posted on this and thx for the suggestion.

[Bernie]

Chris,
Your idea sounds great and I would implement it in a heartbeat if I could find a reasonable and reliable way to do it. What to do with solved posts to make it easier for everyone has been a problem. In theory it would be nice if the original poster could somehow mark the thread as solved or even closed, but not deleted.

The problem is even if I could somehow find a technical way of doing it, chances are the poster wouldn't even bother, making the system useless. We have a problem were many don't even bother to thank the person who solved their riddle as it is. Having the mods and I do it would create a significant workload that we would never be able to keep up with.

Nonetheless, I will try to find some kind of system so post any ideas that maybe we could try out.

[KoolChris]

Originally Posted by Videoskooter

Chris, it's a good idea but I don't know if it's technically possible.

So, if I get it right you want a visible sign, indicating that an identification of a track is successfully ended but that won't close the thread so that people can still post in it, right?

That's basically it. I don't think Solved IDs should be deleted, because they can still help those who were away and read on later, or those not on the site who might end up here through a google search. If I remember well, that's more or less how I found the site, if that's any incentive for anyone!
Keeping the thread open should also be maintained, as allowing people to continue communicating after a track has been ID'd seems paramount to me, if only to let the thread starter know the elusive record he wants was seen online or in a given record store, among other reasons..

Originally Posted by Bernie

Chris,
Your idea sounds great and I would implement it in a heartbeat if I could find a reasonable and reliable way to do it. What to do with solved posts to make it easier for everyone has been a problem. In theory it would be nice if the original poster could somehow mark the thread as solved or even closed, but not deleted.

The problem is even if I could somehow find a technical way of doing it, chances are the poster wouldn't even bother, making the system useless. We have a problem where many don't even bother to thank the person who solved their riddle as it is. Having the mods and I do it would create a significant workload that we would never be able to keep up with.

Nonetheless, I will try to find some kind of system so post any ideas that maybe we could try out.

You're totally right. It seems it should be up to the thread starter to decide it's solved, but that involves relying on everyone to manage their own threads, which could prove to be expecting too much.

How about a shared managemend? Both thread starters and mods? Since mods regularly & routinely browse through the posts, could they implement the system for untended threads?
Of course, the system would have to be extremely simple, if only to encourage posters to use it. Is there a space available somewhere in the beginning or the end of the threads where a box could be installed, next to the phrase "ID'd succesfully" or "solved case", or whatever seems most appropriate? Ticking it would apply whatever means of signifying the case has been solved chosen, such as:
- unboldening the title's font (if the "bold" application is modified to apply by default to all new threads, and to remain so until changed), or
- turning it a different color (again same system: new thread: blue / resolved: other color), or
- making a red (or green) check/tick icon appear in a new column between "thread/thread starter" and "rating" .

All 3 systems would be highly visible, and would help encourage people to use them once they realize how efficient the system can be (in a perfect world). I'm sure all will easily understand the system is in everyone's interest, both seekers and helpers, if properly informed.

If there's a way to assign exclusive access (save for mods) to the box to logged-in thread starters, that would ensure people don't fool around with other people's threads.

Furthermore, to prompt people to use the system, various levels of threats could be used, from banning to giving offenders' email & IP addresses to known spammers & hackers