How do you close a question?

Question

Sometimes there will be questions that are closed, but I don't know how to do that. Is this option only for certain people?

Could you please give an example of a "closed" question? - Daniela2041, Apr 9, 2017

The administrator closed the SpanishDict forum rules and guidelines. - CarterTF, Apr 9, 2017

Answer 1

There should be no need for you to close a question and I suspect only the mods have authority to do this.. If you ask a question after time has elapsed - I suggest at least 24 hours or you can make it longer you choose your best answer. A tick shows next to the thread and it means most people will not then answer.

Gradually threads with no activity get further from the front page. You can find them using a search engine. If someone new answers a very old thread the mods will often close the question. If someone asks a very badly explained question or ignores friendly advice the mods will close the question. Effectively their function is to keep the forum 'tidy' and help and encourage participants. They will often add an old thread next to a new thread on the topic by bumping it up.

The thread you have referred to are the guidelines for users of the forum. They make sure the guidelines are near the front page. It is effectively a reference document and by closing it there can be no answers or comments whether helpful or not.

You can always PM a mod if you need help. If you post a thread twice they will notice and delete one but you can message them and ask them to.

I am not a mod but if my assumptions are wrong one of them will clarify with a comment.

Thank you, Mardle, I thought that a "closed" question had to do with some grammar point I had never heard of. I didn't know it was referring to SD policy and procedure. :) - Daniela2041, Apr 9, 2017

There are times when I don't want a post up any further, so I go back, hit the "edit" button and erase the whole thing. There have been times where I even got a vote for that. Jejeje. - Daniela2041, Apr 9, 2017

Hi Daniela my answer is an educated guess from what I have seen. Sometimes I have wanted to vote for a good answer on a closed post - but you cannot. - Mardle, Apr 9, 2017

You have it right, Mardle. Only moderators or administrators can close or delete a thread. When older threads are answered by someone, we let that member know the date of the question, just in case they don't know. There is nothing at all wrong with - rac1, Apr 9, 2017

posting on an older thread, unless it is something that is contrary to the rules, such as vulgarity. I don't usually close the older threads. I see nothing wrong with them and in fact, we can still learn from them. The "Rules" thread is always on the - rac1, Apr 9, 2017

front page at the top, so, I don't see the purpose of circulating it, it's always on the front page. Chris C E O of SD put it there where anyone could find it and then closed it. It's for the purpose of instruction. - rac1, Apr 9, 2017

Dani, you don't have to erase, you can ask a mod to delete for you should you so desire. :) - rac1, Apr 9, 2017

Thanks - Mardle, Apr 9, 2017

Thanks! - CarterTF, Apr 9, 2017