Can a Person Now Answer Their Own ???

I guess some people have 2 accounts so they can agree with themselves when everyone else is saying noooooo stoooooppppppp.

Hi everyone -I was unaware this was occurring, or even a possibility -so thanks for asking the question and bringing the issue to my attention ...I will research the topic with the tech team tomorrow ...

****Here's what I found out******

Well, I met with the tech guys this morning and they confirm it is in fact a technical glitch. It is certainly not intentional. Currently it is on their list of items to address, although to be honest, there are other more pressing issues ahead of it. Still, be assured that we are aware of this problem and our goal is ultimately to fix it so that it is no longer possible for members to answer their own question in any circumstance.

Now, as to the possibility that some members may have multiple accounts (even ones very similar in name to their original account) and may be answering their own questions via that method -that is certainly possible. I'm not sure there is much at this stage that we can do to prevent that if they are so determined.

However, in either case, if any member notices such an occurrence, you can feel free to report the response and I will be happy to review it. If I find evidence that it is a member answering their own question whether intentionally via an alias or unintentionally via technical glitch I will communicate directly with that member to ascertain how that instance occurred and address it accordingly. Basically, I will either use it as evidence to bolster the investigation into the cause of the glitch so that the tech team can better resolve it, or I will remind the member that duplicate accounts are not encouraged and should certainly not be used for that purpose.

Finally, for anyone who would actually LIKE to have this capability for all members, I hear you and we will certainly consider it for the future. However, two points come to mind. First, really there already is a way to respond to your own question and that is by either the EDIT question method, or better yet the SWH method. Second, MP was specifically designed to minimize the back and forth type of conversation thread. This is why members can only "answer" a question once, and the main reason in fact why members can not answer their own question. Once members have the ability to go back and forth with another member far too often conversations can devolve into heated and unproductive arguments between members that are not constructive and have no real value being aired in a public forum. If members want to engage another member directly in a back and forth they can always do so using the private message system. Still, I have made note of the request and added it to the list of changes to consider for the future.

Okay -sorry for the long winded response here, just wanted to try to address it all. Thanks again everyone!

-M.

Hey Cat!!

I have NEVER EVER been able to answer my own questions here. And you and I have been here a LONG time...

I'd LOVE to be able to answer my own questions here!

This is how you get the most brilliant answers! I alway agree with myself!😝

I have often wondered this as well. Mike, when you get an answer, rather than sending individual messages, could you please update it here in your response or make a new post and explain it so we can all be informed? Thanks!

I've always wondered how someone can post an answer to their original question. I always wondered if it was a second account or a very weird glitch that pops up randomly. It seems to happen a lot to newer/brand new accounts.

This probably should go to the moderators, but I'll weigh in anyway because I find it annoying. If you're referring to the recent habit of some people answering their own questions, I think it works like this:

If you go to "My Questions" and click on your question, you get the option of editing it to add info, or clicking the "So What Happened" space.

If you are just browsing "Questions and Answers" and go to "Recently Asked Questions", I think you can click on it just like everyone else, and get a chance to answer along with everyone else.

I totally wish people would NOT do this, because half the time they are putting in important clarifications, which new responders don't see. Neither to prior responders who might go back to see if the questioner added details. Only if we all read every single answer, and if we realize that one of those answers is actually from the original poster, do we get the whole story. New responders just keep on answering the original, limited/confusing post, and the problems persist.

It would be awesome if moderators could see this and let the OP know, but I think that's asking a lot and a ton of administration, so I don't think it's fair to ask them to do it. But I DO wish there were a better checklist or reminder list or something for people posting questions - everything from putting location-specific info in the title (not the body of the question), not to double-click "post" (because we get multiple posts), and not to answer their own question.

It's a glitch. Sometimes when the poster tries to write in their "So What Happened," it shows up as another response.

ETA - I really think it's a glitch. If you click on the username of the person who posted the question to see their profile and then click on the username of the person with the same username who answered the question, it takes you to the same profile - complete with the same questions asked and questions answered. It a person opened 2 accounts with the same username (which is possible, I've seen different people with the same username) you wouldn't see the same questions and answers.

i don't get it either. that superpower is not mine to wield.
:( khairete
S.

Mike D - please, don't consider being able to answer our questions (really comment on) something to consider - make it your first priority! I think everyone on here would LOVE to be able to banter back and forth! I'm going to open a new topic and ask!!

Thanks!

Yeah, I knew it was a glitch. I'm personally very glad that we don't have the ability to act like facebook here. Very glad.

Sometimes they use another email account and slightly change their "name" and then they can post on their own thread.

I tried coming to mamapedia one time and it was gone...like it never existed. I thought they'd blocked me so went to it while logged in on another FB account and used that email address to make a mamapedia account. Lots of people were talking about not being able to log on and such so I figured it was that. My own id worked fine the next day.

So even "I" have had 2 accounts on mamapedia at one time. Didn't post anything on that one but did make an account and check out what was happening.