anonymous askme has no way to follow up

October 16, 2004 1:21 PM

The first question in this anonymous AskMe post made me realize that there is no way for anyone posting anonymously to provide information beyond the initial query.
posted by eyeballkid to Etiquette/Policy at 1:21 PM (18 comments total)

You get one shot; better make it a good one. ;-P
posted by mischief at 2:17 PM on October 16, 2004

it's you ebk, isn't it? fess up! ; >
posted by amberglow at 2:57 PM on October 16, 2004

he/she isn't going to answer anything, because he/she can't do it and remain anonymous

I don't blame em, meself
posted by kamylyon at 4:35 PM on October 16, 2004

There should definitely be an a/s/l rider to the Anonymous signature, preferably followed by an easy anagram of the handle they usually use on MeFi; a short explanation of why they were too embarrassed to post it under their own name and, finally, sincere apologies to all concerned and a solemn promise they will never do it again.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 5:26 PM on October 16, 2004

just delete the posts and ban the fucker.
posted by quonsar at 5:36 PM on October 16, 2004

there will be a "more inside" option in the future, but beyond that if folks forget some key component, well, they're kinda screwed. Oh well.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 5:49 PM on October 16, 2004

Which is only fair, since it applies to all of us. ;)
posted by MiguelCardoso at 6:18 PM on October 16, 2004

How about including some base questions for on the Anonymous question page? Something like:
-----------------
Due to the nature of Anonymous AskMe, it is difficult for respondents to follow-up with the poster for more information. This can sometimes stall a conversation and/or confuse the issue at hand. In order to get the best answer for your question, please include the following (if appropriate for your query):

1. Timelines. How long has this been happening? How long have you been wishing otherwise?
2. Who is involved? Include relevant information: genders, ages, sexual orientations, any complicating factors in the situation. If there are more than two people involved, give them pseudonyms or letters ("person A") so that we can follow you clearly.
3. What have you tried thus far? Have any solutions worked at all? Partially? What are you willing/not willing to try? What kind of solutions are you looking for?
4. Where are you (generally) in the world? Some questions will be better answered with a general idea of local customs or responses.
4. What is the clear, concise question at hand?
posted by fionab at 6:51 PM on October 16, 2004

a short explanation of why they were too embarrassed to post it under their own name and, finally, sincere apologies to all concerned and a solemn promise they will never do it again.

Yes. Never.

In order to get the best answer for your question...

Go directly to TeenDramaDatingAngst.com.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:58 PM on October 16, 2004

or the poster could contact some other mefite and have that person post a response.
posted by Stynxno at 7:51 PM on October 16, 2004

There's always that, stynxy.

But not all users actually converse with other users. Ulike the verbose, some users just read, rarely comment, and never respond.

Who would they contact?

Matt?
posted by kamylyon at 10:29 PM on October 16, 2004

Actually that just happened in the "I like a guy" thread. The poster didn't mention her own gender in the post, but apparently she emailed Matt and he dropped a note into the thread.

I'm not saying this is a great solution. Forethought would be better.
posted by scarabic at 11:29 PM on October 16, 2004

Would that forethought could be as 20/20 as hindsight.

The anonymous posting is great, I'm sure. But from what I've seen in here, as well the thread mentioned above, an anonymous query would have to be really well thought out before being posted, as opposed to the 'normal' ask meta filter questions.

Since there's no current recourse for answering an anon poted question, I think I'll keep mine open.
posted by kamylyon at 11:44 PM on October 16, 2004

But from what I've seen in here, as well the thread mentioned above, an anonymous query would have to be really well thought out before being posted, as opposed to the 'normal' ask meta filter questions.

Normal Ask MetaFilter questions are supposed to be well thought-out before being posted...
posted by Danelope at 1:26 PM on October 17, 2004

Obviously MeFi knows who the real poster is who originally created the anonymous thread. When that poster posts in an anonymous thread they created, their replies should also show up as anonymous.
posted by kindall at 8:06 PM on October 17, 2004

Normal Ask MetaFilter questions are supposed to be well thought-out before being posted...

Many well thought-out questions are going to require more detail when under scrutiny from others.

Obviously MeFi knows who the real poster is who originally created the anonymous thread. When that poster posts in an anonymous thread they created, their replies should also show up as anonymous.

IANMH, but I don't think that's the case. From the anonymous posting page, it seems that Matt just gets a question and maybe an IP address.
posted by eyeballkid at 11:31 AM on October 18, 2004

Well, someone has to be logged in, no? Otherwise random people could just come along and start posting questions. It should be possible to capture the real username, store it but not display it, and use it as I suggest.

A lot of work, perhaps, but easier than having Matt review all anonymous posts to a thread...
posted by kindall at 12:33 PM on October 18, 2004

Well, someone has to be logged in, no?

Ah. Yes. I didn't try it logged out. Good point.
posted by eyeballkid at 12:52 PM on October 18, 2004