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My question is about this question

As you can see, it was "bumped" recently

enter image description here

The following to note from this post:

  • Originally posted on 18-July-2017
  • User last seen on 25-July-2017

I understand that sometimes posts are "bumped" to see if you can get an answer. This post however has 4 answers (3 good, 1 deleted).

It is unlikely that we would ever get an answer "accepted", as I find it unlikely that the OP will return to accept an answer.

Questions:

  • Why would this post be bumped if the OP is absent for a long time ?
  • Would it be possile to adjust the "bumping algoritm" not to bump if OP is absent for a long time ?
  • Would it be possible to "mark this question as answered" and many similar like this ?
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1 Answer 1

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This particular bump has successfully served its purpose.

I just looked at the (public) reputation histories of the answerers there to confirm that the answers just got upvoted — before the bump, the two top answers had a score of 0. Only questions with no positive-scoring answers get these bumps.

In general, when you see a question that is bumped, what you can do about it is try to get it a positive-scoring answer — whether that is upvoting an existing answer or writing a new, better one that others can upvote.

Acceptance is not necessary. Acceptance is in general an optional feature — all the systems are designed to work even if the asker never returns to accept an answer.

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    $\begingroup$ So the purpose of "bumping" is to get "votes on answers or another answer"... and not "acceptance"... right, got it... thanks $\endgroup$
    – Edwin van Mierlo
    Feb 27, 2018 at 16:26
  • $\begingroup$ @EdwinvanMierlo The purpose is to get answers voted on — that's what the "may be good or bad … can be reviewed" text in the notice means. Adding an answer is just how to help solve the problem if there is no answer good enough to upvote. $\endgroup$
    – Kevin Reid AG6YO Mod
    Feb 27, 2018 at 16:27
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    $\begingroup$ "Only questions with no positive-scoring answers get these bumps." I just learned something very useful! Thanks. $\endgroup$
    – Mike Waters Mod
    Feb 27, 2018 at 17:35
  • $\begingroup$ @MikeWaters same here.... learned something new :-) $\endgroup$
    – Edwin van Mierlo
    Mar 2, 2018 at 9:50
  • $\begingroup$ Aha, so if I get sick of a question that constantly gets recycled, then all I have to do is to upvote an answer ;) $\endgroup$
    – rclocher3
    Aug 30, 2018 at 16:29

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