What's up with all the "duplicate post... please delete"?

Question

Obviously, if so many people are requesting that their "duplicate post be deleted", the person who posted it should be able to delete their own post. After all, they did write it. Why aren't they allowed to delete their own post?

Answer 1

That's a good question, Joel. I think the reason is that once the post is on the site it becomes something like public property. Other members see it and may want to respond. If it suddenly disappears, it's not fair to them.

On the other hand, if the original poster can edit the post so there is nothing there except a request to delete, it defeats the above reason. The administrators on the site are usually very good about removing these posts promptly. I think some of them live in front of their computers.

I hope some of the others who have been here a while will weigh in on this comment.

Answer 2

I haven't found many instances where people request to have their duplicated post to be deleted. Most of the time duplicate posts are placed by new users who haven't figured out how the system works yet. They may not realize they made a duplicate,and they are unable to delete them (only administrators can delete posts, for a number of good reasons). So usually older users, who do at least have the power to edit posts, take the time to mark duplicate or inappropriate posts for deletion, in order to make the administrator's job easier.

Was that duplication an example? Was that duplication an example? jeje - CalvoViejo, Aug 14, 2010

Whoops! Glad you caught that. Must avoid editing much when I'm tired. :-p Thanks Calvo. - Gekkosan, Aug 14, 2010

Answer 3

I have seen a fair number of duplicate posts and I agree with you JoelMatthew. I think people should be able to delete their own posts. I really don't understand why we are not able to. It would be less work for the administrators.

Because members would delete posts after they received replies if they made errors and we all need to see those errors to learn. You just have to be willing to be embarrassed. Beliieve me, I know. - 0074b507, Mar 6, 2011

And I think that someone could break a rule and then try to delete the evidence! - rabbitwho, Mar 6, 2011

Good points all! My issue was just a repeat of the same post 4x... didn't want anyone to have to read it over & over, despite how "good" I thought it was! ;o) - cristalino, Mar 6, 2011

Answer 4

I've been on sites that say: "The post you just tried to make was identical to your last one, are you sure you didn't hit the submit button twice?"

I suppose that would be difficult to code though.

Answer 5

Just researching comments on duplicate posts, but in this case (mine), the Internet appeared to be processing an answer so slowly, like dial-up days, and unfortunately, I clicked on the Answer box 4 times! - I found out after the fact... four posts with the same answer were displayed! I am curious if we are able at this time to 'delete' entirely any trace of this 'mistake?'