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A while ago I flagged this answer as "not an answer". However, my flag got the status:

declined - a moderator reviewed your flag, but found no evidence to support it

Which I find a bit interesting. I think that the answer should be a comment to Deep's answer considering he is the only one who mentions a getV method.

Why was this flag declined? Is it just me who thinks it should be a comment to Deep's answer? Am I missing something here?

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    On the other hand, at first glance it looks like a honest, if poor quality, attempt to answer. – Mołot Sep 27 '13 at 13:33
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    @juergend: No, the linked answer really doesn't attempt to answer the question, but to reply to a different answer. It only looks like a valid answer, the flag on itself is valid. – Madara Uchiha Sep 27 '13 at 13:39
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    Whoops. Thanks for shining a brighter light on this answer. It's been flagged four times in the past, and those have been declined or disputed every time. – Bill the Lizard Sep 27 '13 at 13:57
  • @BilltheLizard No problem. I guess even moderators are human. :) Next time will probably use the tip from Madara's answer if such a situation occur again. – Simon Forsberg Sep 27 '13 at 14:00
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Your flag was declined because moderators are not experts in all languages. At first glance, this does indeed look like an answer to the question (albeit a poor one), only someone skilled in the language given would know to tell instantly.

A moderator has reviewed your flag, and decided that it was an answer, so he declined your flag.

What to do?

Flag it again, this time, use a custom flag, explain exactly how it does not answer the question, and what it replies to.

  • Custom flags get more attention (as in, time per flag). They cause moderators look closer (though don't use it for everything!!!)
  • Custom flags help mods get the bigger picture, and take the best action possible.
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  • Apparently me asking the question here has brought enough attention to the answer so that it has now been removed. :) Your answer will be good to keep in mind for the future. – Simon Forsberg Sep 27 '13 at 13:56
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    Yup; what Madara said here, @SimonAndréForsberg. I'm one of the two mods who declined a Not an Answer flag on that answer. To me, it seemed like an attempt to answer the question. Reading what I have here, I definitely agree with minitech's deletion – Andrew Barber Sep 27 '13 at 14:00

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