Is it ok to to delete and repost a duplicate question?

Question

I asked a question that has been marked as a duplicate. I read a lot of similar questions and explanations in advance but I couldn't find a solution. In the question that should answer my question the asker used a different (not working) approach. There is even an answer that would work for my case however I'd rather consider it as a workaround than a solution since I have seen examples using my approach.

So I would like your opinion in that case. Would it be ok to repost my question while explaining why other answers didn't help me? I edited my question but I think it's not getting any attention anymore. Naturally I will remove the old question.

Answer 1

Is it ok to delete and repost a duplicate question ?

• Short answer : No

• Long answer : Keep in mind that if the question was closed as duplicate in the first place it doesn't belong here since it's a double. If you post the same question, chances are it will be re-closed for the same reasons. Now, if you ask a similar question with a different approach and explain why other questions were not helpful to you then I guess it is ok to re-post it but guess it is not the same question anymore...this is why you should refer to the short answer.

Answer 2

As has been said in the comments, you have to be careful when doing what you suggest. Do it to many times and the system flags you and you get a question ban.

There is an issue on SO with duplicate questions. Once they get marked as a duplicate the amount of attention paid to them -even if you do edit them - drops off sharply .

Your preferred solution would be to edit and flag for Mod attention. However if this doesn't work then you have 2 options.

One: try and get whatever solution was posted to the 'dupe' question so that it fits your needs. Hard, but if it's close not impossible.

Two: Leave your question up, it's a duplicate yes but the system knows how to handle duplicates. Next, sit down and think about your question, think of any phraseology or approach that you could take to make your question clearer and less like the dupe.

Then when you write your new question include the research you did. Point out how much effort you have put into it. Use links and say things like:

"I found this question here and it was good, but ultimately my question is different in X way".

If people can see the effort put into it. Can see that you did the research and it's clear to them why it's not a duplicate then they are much more likely to help you.

Remember that all the work done here is on a volunteer basis. We like helping by answering questions, IF we feel like we are actually just answering the question; not doing work for someone for free.

Answer 3

As you are speaking of https://stackoverflow.com/questions/16001470/c-bad-acces-on-vector-begin-using-object-pointers, that question has been already closed as duplicate.

In this case, when the question is edited, it is automatically added to the review queue for questions to be re-opened. Instead of editing the question to add you disagree with the decision to mark it as duplicate, you should edit it to say that you tried the answers given for the other question, but none of them worked for you; you could also made clear in what your question is different from the other, for example adding details about your case (e.g. "I am using quinoa, and not whole grain.").

Deleting a question is a bad idea, on the trilogy sites, since that could cause you to be question-banned. If that happens, you are not anymore allowed to ask questions, and you should gain reputation by answering questions.