Sometimes my questions are locked for hours and I am whipped into a
frenzy of expectation and then NOTHING ...

Not even a message to say 'Kilroy was here'

Now I realise that sometimes the G****eBot is the culprit but, at
other times, it would be nice to know that know that Kilroy had been
there.

Something for the Forum?

---

Request for Question Clarification by digsalot-ga on 01 Aug 2003 00:36 PDT

Dear Probo - - SHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! - quiet.  The forum is a secret.
 Neither one of us in it even knows who the other one is.  Though I do
have my suspicions.

Hi PBP,

Well, I can understand your frustration.  Rest assured, though, that
unless the G*bot has the lock, a researcher is likely to be hard at
work on your question.

However, it's not uncommon for a researcher to spend a significant
period of time working on a question but simply fail to arrive at an
answer. Some of your questions are very challenging! When a researcher
cannot provide an answer, he or she has little choice but to release
the lock. Disappointing to you.  Disappointing to us.

But what's the alternative? I suppose a researcher could post a
comment along the lines of "Sorry. I worked on it for two hours, but
failed. Have a nice day."

But should we be obligated to publicize our failures?  I think that
many researchers are reluctant to post comments that do not accomplish
anything or are not otherwise helpful.

Also, keep in mind that locks often change hands several times before
an answer is finally posted.  Things might get a bit cluttered if
researchers were to add "Kilroy" comments on every question that
they've attempted.

I hope this gives you some insight into a researcher's perspective. 
Let me know if anything needs clarification or amplification.

Regards,
juggler

Many thanks, Juggler.

I hadn't realised that locks change hands ...

Do they also get traded? 

And is there a futures market?

No .... sorry ... those will have to be new questions.

Regards

Bryan

"but, at other times, it would be nice to know that know that Kilroy
had been
there."

oooh...i just KNOW you're not making a reference to a certain talkshow
host who shall remain....nameless :p

jem-ga :)

Hi, Probonopublico,

Here are other possible reasons --from experience.

If your question seems too personal or touching other GA rules then the editors
may lock your question until they get to a  conclusion which can be removal too.

Hope this helps.  ;-)

Regards,  
g

... or should I have read more in "G****eBot"?

Hi, Googel

The G****eBot gets blamed foe EVERYTHING.

thanks for the sharing, Probonopublico.

A google answers futures market!   Thats genius!   Fellow Researchers-
ever see a question and be like, "wow that is that one going to be
imposible to answer, even if it is worth $100" or, "wow some people
have NO idea how to post a question.  Impossible!"   We could easily
take advantage of that... perhaps just as easily as the Policy
Analysis Market
[ http://wyden.senate.gov/media/2003/07282003_terrormarket.html ]

Lookout....