-5

Not sure if this is the best way to raise this, but I'm at odds with a flag that was 'declined' as the answer to an old question (which in itself isn't a proper SO question) when the person basically answered with I think X is better because of y which is just a highly subjective one line answer with no facts or real info.

I think that the best one is the Jersey. For example in Netbeans the integration is full

Now personally, my biggest issue is losing 10 flag points (which is a large amount when you're nearing 700) and the question was closed due to what I view was my highlighting of a 'non answer' answer. (Edit: It's not really a big deal, but I'm gonna pretend it is) ;)

So probably my question is, is there anyway to discuss or at least say 'I'm not happy with the response' on a flag? (and can it be changed to a disputed rather than decline.)

(for reference, the question and answer is here -> https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1710199/which-is-the-best-java-rest-api-restlet-or-jersey/8465958#8465958)

Improve this question
1
  • 3
    Not sure what the issue is here. It's a valid answer, only not a very good one. The moderator could have marked your flag as helpful because it pointed him to a question that needed to be closed, but apparently didn't, so yeah.
    – a cat
    Commented Dec 12, 2011 at 10:09

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
21

There were flags on at least two answers in that post by you and I handled one of them and marked it as helpful. The only reason I did that was not because I agreed with your assertion that it was "not an answer" but because it brought my attention to the question itself which was a "do-not-ask" type question.

The mod who processed the second flag after I closed the question did the right thing. It's not a great answer but it is an answer all the same.

Your focus should have been on why the question was attracting such less than stellar answers and you should have flagged the question as "Not Constructive" instead.

I also went to have a look at your profile and in particular your flagging history and see this:

Currently working towards a Flag ranking of 700 before 2012, will I make it?

If your sole aim is to score flag weight points then you're here for the wrong reason. You should spend some time earning rep to open up the full range of tools available to help make Stack Overflow a better place.

Improve this answer
1
  • THanks Kev, this is the sort of info I was hoping to get from this. :) As to the Flag ranking bit on my profile, it's just a mini-target to aim for, It seemed more obtainable than say hitting 2k rep by 2012 :) and was a nice round number
    – Stephen
    Commented Dec 12, 2011 at 11:59
4

Usage of the not an answer flag

Who uses Restlet? <<< not an answer
New Jersey is the best place ever! <<< not an answer
Collect cheap rolex watches <<< spam

You flagged an answer that

  • did answer the question (subjective question got a subjective answer)
  • it's not an edit
  • it's not a comment
  • it shouldn't be deleted because of the first point

I think the decision to decline your flag was correct

which is just a highly subjective one line answer with no facts or real inf...

You should have flagged the question as not constructive (lost your chance on flag weight there). But a mod closed the question now.

So probably my question is, is there anyway to discuss or at least say 'I'm not happy with the response' on a flag?

Yup, here in meta, though mods don't make mistakes frequently so the decision will most likely not be changed.

Improve this answer
3
  • 2
    "[...] though mods don't make mistakes frequently so the decision will most likely not be changed." -- That's not a reason, and in any case the decision can't be changed.
    – a cat
    Commented Dec 12, 2011 at 10:28
  • 1
    In hindsight I should have just flagged the question and left as is, but as there is no way to cancel a flag, (another question I'd asked before) it really doesn't encorage people to continue flagging once they hit the magic 749 number (who'd want to get all the way to that and then get one 'wrong' and be 100+ away from 749 again)
    – Stephen
    Commented Dec 12, 2011 at 10:32
  • The decision to change action of what the flag wanted can always be changed. Except when a user is destroyed. @lunboks I guess you thought I was talking about the flag itself. If a mod reviewed a flag and declined it. He/se (98%) time knows what he/she is doing. There are not that many questions in the [declined-flags] tag.
    – phwd
    Commented Dec 12, 2011 at 10:33
3

What I've seen happening is that response to flags only happens through posts like this...

About this issue though, "I think X is better because of y" seems like a valid answer to "Which is the best Java REST API - Restlet or Jersey?". The only thing that seems off there is the question.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .