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replaced http://meta.superuser.com/ with https://meta.superuser.com/

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edited Mar 17, 2017 at 8:59

Judging discussion topic votes

One problem on Meta is that many users open a new topic with a specific request or point of view.

This leads to problems in how to interpret the votes for the topic, especially if nobody posts an answer that basically references the "question". IMO, many topics need to be discussed, but how do I voice my agreement with the discussion without agreeing with the OP's point of view? If I don't vote, the topic will not receive the up votes it deserves, if I do up vote, I will support a point of view I might not agree with.

One topic where I think this problem occurred is this one this one. The OP posted his opinion in both the question (+14/-1) and an answer (+6/-6), with disagreeing answers far outweighing the latter score. If he hadn't also posted it as an answer, what would be seen as the community decision?

Structuring a discussion topic

I think users who initiate discussions need to structure these topics as follows:

State the general topic or observed problem in the question
Post the proposed solution or point of view in an answer

This way, users are able to agree with the general topic, but can independently agree or disagree with what is said.

Users should be made aware of this issue, and be prompted to edit their questions accordingly, moving parts of it to an answer, if necessary.

Judging discussion topic votes

One problem on Meta is that many users open a new topic with a specific request or point of view.

One topic where I think this problem occurred is this one. The OP posted his opinion in both the question (+14/-1) and an answer (+6/-6), with disagreeing answers far outweighing the latter score. If he hadn't also posted it as an answer, what would be seen as the community decision?

Structuring a discussion topic

I think users who initiate discussions need to structure these topics as follows:

State the general topic or observed problem in the question
Post the proposed solution or point of view in an answer

This way, users are able to agree with the general topic, but can independently agree or disagree with what is said.

Users should be made aware of this issue, and be prompted to edit their questions accordingly, moving parts of it to an answer, if necessary.

Judging discussion topic votes

One problem on Meta is that many users open a new topic with a specific request or point of view.

Structuring a discussion topic

I think users who initiate discussions need to structure these topics as follows:

State the general topic or observed problem in the question
Post the proposed solution or point of view in an answer

This way, users are able to agree with the general topic, but can independently agree or disagree with what is said.

Users should be made aware of this issue, and be prompted to edit their questions accordingly, moving parts of it to an answer, if necessary.

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created Jan 1, 2012 at 17:59

Daniel Beck Mod

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Judging discussion topic votes

One problem on Meta is that many users open a new topic with a specific request or point of view.

Structuring a discussion topic

I think users who initiate discussions need to structure these topics as follows:

State the general topic or observed problem in the question
Post the proposed solution or point of view in an answer

This way, users are able to agree with the general topic, but can independently agree or disagree with what is said.

Users should be made aware of this issue, and be prompted to edit their questions accordingly, moving parts of it to an answer, if necessary.