Why is there “add a comment” on some answered questions, and not on others?

Hi Clicker,

If a question lacks an "add a comment" button, it's because the
customer has cancelled the question.

Here's an example a question that was cancelled by a customer before
an official answer was provided:
"Hospital buying group in the United States"
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=194937

In some situations, a customer will cancel the question after
rejecting an answer. Here's an example:
"Attitude towards women in "The Knight's Tale" (Chaucer)" 
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=54294

Of course, you've probably also noticed that it's not possible to add
comments to unanswered questions while they are locked by a
researcher.

I hope this helps.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by clicker5-ga on 10 May 2003 16:08 PDT

Hello again juggler:
On my question ID: 176846, you made a great answer.  
However – I did not close out the question in any way. 
And – there is no way for anyone to make a comment.
Why is this?
clicker5

---

Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 10 May 2003 16:59 PDT

Hi Clicker,

As far as I can tell, there's still an "Add a Comment" button on that
question.  I used it to leave a comment for you a few minutes ago.
https://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=176846

I also took a screenshot before that showing the "Add a Comment"
button was there prior to my comment. I can post the screenshot
somewhere if you want.

Perhaps you viewed the question at a time when you weren't "logged
in." You can't add a comment unless you're logged in.

I hope this helps.
-juggler

---

Request for Answer Clarification by clicker5-ga on 10 May 2003 17:19 PDT

Hi juggler:
I don’t want to beat this to death.  
However – the “add a comment” button was not on my screen when I
answered you the last time.
Now, that you have just added a comment to ID: 176846, I have an “add
a comment” button on ID: 176846.

Perhaps, if no one posts a comment on my past questions, I will not
see an “add a comment” button on my screen.

I have just looked at several on my past questions, and there are no
“add a comment” buttons.
clicker5

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Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 10 May 2003 17:33 PDT

Well, the only thing that I can say is that I can see "add a comment"
buttons on all of your other questions. I can post screen shots if you
want.

It may be a matter of the comment section not opening up to you (as
the questioner) until someone else has commented. I'll check into that
possibility. Rest assured, though, that unless you cancel a question,
it is and will be open to comments.

juggler

---

Request for Answer Clarification by clicker5-ga on 12 May 2003 15:08 PDT

Hi juggler-ga:
RE: “add a comment”
The following is from “The Google Answers Team”:
  ----------------------------
Hi clicker5-ga:
Thank you for your email. Currently, a question owner cannot add comment
if no other comments exist. 
Thank you for using Google Answers, 
  ------------------------------

Kindest regards:       clicker5-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 12 May 2003 16:02 PDT

Thanks for the update, Clicker.  

It seems that the editors' email confirms your experience and the
experience of Pinkfreud mentioned below. The person who asks the
question is prevented from being the first person to post a comment.
An odd but interesting feature of the system!

Regards,
juggler

Hello juggler:
Thank you for sticking with me on this.
Let me buy you a cup of coffee.
Clicker5

Hi Clicker,

Thank you very much for tip.

My friend and colleague Pinkfreud-ga has informed me that her
experience with the system some time ago was similar to your own
(i.e., the person who asks the question cannot be first person to post
a comment). Slight changes in the system are implemented all the time,
though, so it's possible that this feature has already been changed or
will change in the future.

Thanks again,
juggler

That should have read:

"Thank you very much for THE tip."

Sorry about that.