So, whats the protocol for conversations/URs?
I wouldn’t think so. Haven’t jumped in or had anyone else jump in yet though.
I would add a comment with the solution. I wouldn’t close out the UR as solved until the other editors participating in the conversation either agree with the solution or fail to respond for days.
I do do this.
I’d say no, it’s not rude to jump in - the goal is to get as much information as possible. We wouldn’t have known that the I-70 ramp is still closed if you hadn’t asked!
I’ve been leaving messages to conclude the conversation like you said, and thanking them for reporting the problem. Can I mark the UR as solved once I do this or do I need to leave it open for some time?
I’ve been marking them solved at that point.
This is fine. I closed one with a comment yesterday and asked the user to contact me if they wanted to help out more with similar issues like they reported. I received a PM within a short time, so I know for certain that they receive your comment even if you close the UR as solved right after sending your comment.
I’ve had five URs with conversations closed on me after only 2-3 days by other editors who didn’t add anything to the conversation or make any edits to the map to attempt to fix the problem. I don’t care about getting credit for solving the problem, but I’d like to get as much information from the reporter as they’re willing to give before closing it, since I’ve found it to be very helpful. It’s frustrating but what I don’t know is if it’s the reporters themselves who are closing the URs. Is there anything we can do about this, or do we just contact the editors and make sure they’re up to speed on the conversation protocol?
What if you start a conversation to get more info and the reporting wazer doesn’t respond? How long should you give them before marking it as “not identified”? I’m thinking after 3 or 4 days they’re not real serious about the issue.
I would wait the seven days mentioned here as some people are just on a weekly schedule.
Yes, keep in mind that people have lives. Editors may spend many hours a week here, but most drivers are using this only for navigation. They aren’t going to spend much time with it for anything other than that. Give them time to see and respond to your message.
I’ve had 2 that were closed by the reporter who went in and fixed the problem themselves. I think that’s fine. But I agree that other editors should not close a UR that has a conversation unless they are able to actually fix the problem or were asked to by the editor who is having the conversation or the reporter. Or if the conversation has been sitting there too long without a reply. Basically, follow the Wiki linked by CBenson.
I’ll probably be lambasted for this, but if someone leaves a UR that says “general error”, leaves no comment, and there appears to be no obvious problem (like the ones I see in the middle of an interstate where the person is going straight for the entirety of the route trace), do we really need to spend time having a conversation with the person? Seems most of these are just attempts to get points. I’m all for getting the most information possible, but it seems like a waste of time in this instance. Don’t jump on me, just trying to get some opinions.
I kind of have to agree with you… i will usually ask for more information, but if they still don’t bother to respond, it’s obvious they don’t care.
Riamus, how did you know the reporter closed the request? I didn’t think the reporter’s username was visible but I could be missing something.
If it is just an attempt to get points, asking them for details may discourage them from doing it again.
If it’s just a mistake ( fairly common) then we may help them learn.
The reporter replied to my request for more information on one of the reports and then the message I received saying it had been closed showed the same username.
Regardless of whether they used the app or editor, the username was suppose to remain “Reporter.” Or did they tell you their name in the text or in a PM?
I’d say its worth the 15-30 seconds to send the initial response. At worst, it puts a notification in his/her inbox for each of his/her “false” reports, and may act as a negative reinforcement. At best, we can get some information about a real problem.
Ok, I looked back at it and it did say Reporter. They just said they fixed it and the fix included the username. Sorry for the confusion.
I’m in agreement. If you left a comment, and seven days have passed wihtout response, close the sucker.
Thanks for the clarification, Riamus and Alan. I wish there was some way to know if the reporter was the one who closed the request while keeping them anonymous, such as replacing the username with “Reporter” in the notifications stating that the issue has been closed. I suspect some requests are being closed early by other editors without any action as an easy way to earn points so I’d like to contact them and fill them in on the conversation protocol.
What about an open UR that someone else has commented on? What’s the polite amount of time to leave it open after the last activity before just closing it yourself?