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Example of how to use ask.wireshark.org and how not to…

1
What color do apples have?

This question will be used to demonstrate the way this sites work. It will also show how this site is different from a normal web-forum, as the chronological order of answers can be messed by by the voting process.

Please use the "code sample" text style for any new answer or comment as it would have appeared in the discussion. Please use normal text to explain why things work or don't work.

asked 23 Sep '10, 07:00

SYN-bit's gravatar image

SYN-bit ♦♦
17.1k957245
accept rate: 20%

edited 23 Sep '10, 07:36

I am wondering if looking at Stackoverflow and Mathoverflow would be good examples? These sites seem to have similar styles.

(23 Sep '10, 07:23) samiam

Indeed they use a similar style and as such, they are good examples too. But maybe a bit to complex for a first time user. So I hope this example question will help people in understanding the logic of this site.

(23 Sep '10, 07:35) SYN-bit ♦♦

3 Answers:

1
Apples can have different colors. Most apples are green, yellow or red.

This was the third answer given and indeed it is the answer that the original poster was looking for.

To make sure the question does not appear in the "unanswered questions" category, the person that asked the question needs to "accept" it. This is done by clicking on the "checkmark" below the voting thumbs. Once an answer has been accepted, it will be marked in green to make it easy for other people that have the same question, to find the correct answer (especially when multiple answers have been given to a question).

I have accepted this answer already, hence it is showing in green.

answered 23 Sep '10, 07:12

SYN-bit's gravatar image

SYN-bit ♦♦
17.1k957245
accept rate: 20%

edited 23 Sep '10, 07:29

1
Apples are not purple!

This was the second answer given as a response to the first answer. This answer is of course true, so people may vote "up" for this answer. This means this answer will be listed above the first answer and the logic of it being a response to the first answer disappears.

On this site responses should be made by using "add new comment". I have done this also, have a look at the "retry as a comment".

(please don't vote for this answer to keep it at a rating of +1)

answered 23 Sep '10, 07:05

SYN-bit's gravatar image

SYN-bit ♦♦
17.1k957245
accept rate: 20%

edited 23 Sep '10, 07:33

When you (accidentally) give a new answer instead of adding a comment, you can convert your answer by using the "More" arrow below your answer and then choose: "Convert to comment"

(which I will not do with this response for the obvious educational reasons ;-))

(23 Sep '10, 07:07) SYN-bit ♦♦

-1
Apples are purple

This was the first answer given, but it is obviously a wrong answer. Therefor people may vote it down. That means that the answer will get listed lower on the list of answers.

(please don't vote for this answer to keep it at a rating of -1)

answered 23 Sep '10, 07:02

SYN-bit's gravatar image

SYN-bit ♦♦
17.1k957245
accept rate: 20%

edited 23 Sep '10, 07:32

Retry as a comment: Apples are not purple!

(23 Sep '10, 07:08) SYN-bit ♦♦