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I saw one incident that an accepted - correct - answer was down voted after two years. That answer was based on an early script version and it was in beta process (v1.0.1).
After two years, a user came in and down voted the answer and left a comment:
-1 it didn't work for me (v1.3.0)
Is there a mechanism to control such behavior, or it should be the contributor's job to mention in his answer that the answer works only for v1.0.1? Although nobody can predict what updates will occur.
No, there is not, nor should there be. Each and every user is allowed to vote as they see fit.
You can reply to the commnenter explaining the answer is old, and if they do not respond, move on. At least the user left a comment as to why they downvoted.
Alternatively, update the answer to state that it is only for a specific version, or update to make it work for the newer version.
Yes, with time your answers may become incorrect, and you cannot always prevent that. You can however update your answers at a later time. The downvote and comment at the very least notified you that your answer is now outdated.
I can see how this can be an issue. For example: if I provided a CSS solution, then 3 years later that solution becomes obsolete, and someone down votes on it.
Would that be fair? I would say yes.
If another user looking for a solution sees my old answer, and it has never been down voted for being "obsolete", then that user will be more likely to use my out-dated solution.
I wouldn't want that. I would want the user to find a current solution for their problem. So I agree that users should be able to down vote older answers that have become obsolete.
