When you look at a thread that you originated, you have the option to choose
"Did this post answer the question?" on any replies to your original
question. You have that option because, as the original asker, only you can
determine if a post indeed answered your question. (MVPs can also mark a
post as having answered a question, but I can assure you that the only time
any of us do that in this group is if we happen to run across an old post
with good information that we want to make sure shows up when people search.
We're not gonna go marking someone's recent posts answered or anything like
that.)
When you look at threads originated by others, *you* will see a "Was this
post helpful?" thing; of course, the original poster will see "Did this
answer your question?" The "Was this helpful?" option allows community
members to say that they found certain posts helpful. Those are the posts
that will bubble to the top when future users search for answers using the
search wizard on the web interface.
So yes, you can absolutely rate posts as helpful but as not having answered
your question. If you hit the Help button on the far right of the web
interface page, there's a section on "Why should I rate a post?" It does a
much better job of explaining how the helpful counts work. It does take more
than one person marking "yes, helpful" to a post before the threshhold that
identifies the post as helpful is crossed.
The reason you see a "Was this post helpful" thing on your original posts as
well is because people might want to flag your post as being helpful. Maybe
you've posted a tip as opposed to a question. Or maybe you posted the
question they always wanted to ask, but didn't. Or whatever. I wouldn't
worry about it too much. Feel free to mark your own post as helpful if you
want, but don't feel obligated to do so! I'd probably be more likely to mark
specific response posts as helpful or as answering the question.
About clear as mud, isn't it?
--
Echo [MS PPT MVP]
http://www.echosvoice.com
The Color Orange said:
Hi Echo,
I have a question about Helpful Yes.
When I sign in to review a thread I have generated, my own posts allow me to
rate them Helpful Yes/No, which seems rather unnecessary. Then the reply
posts from others only allow me to select "Did this post answer the
question?" Yes/No.
If another's reply was Helpful but did not answer the question, how am I to
rate it?
I could come back in and select Helpful Yes on my own post. Would that
alone make the thread appear in a Search on Helpful, or do I have to select
"Did this post answer the question?" Yes, on the other person's reply?
Thank you for helping me learn the ropes.
~ JBW The Color Orange
