What is the difference between a Discussion and a Question in the Onshape Forums?

lougallo

In the forum I am given the option of Ask a Question or New Discussion. Selecting either one provides a form that offers the same Categories and and sections to complete. I am not sure why I would do one or the other...

lougallo

Discussions are conversations about a topic and can be a collection of comments around a particular topic.

Questions on the other hand are looking for a specific question and the asker can mark the best answer. They are posted the same but have different goals.

As far as who can answer them, anyone can including Onshape employees. We enabled it to see what people thought of the two options.

Phil_Hertel

I like the ability to first review discussions related to my issue and then ask a specific question if necessary.

len_1962

how can we change if we picked to wrong type.

viru

@len_1962 , There is option to edit if any user wrong type. User has to go in option menu which is top right corner of user comment. After that click on edit option then user can edit or change his post/ comment. Below image show the step to do edit operation.

OpenR2

Viru. I don't thing they question was how to correct wrong "typing." I think the question was how to change the type of poser from a "discussion" to a "question" after its already been posted. Do you have instructions to do this?

Tony_C_

oops.....didn't know this was an option.  Will make a note of it....

larry_hawes

Had NO idea there was a difference. Must admit this forum software is the most difficult I have ever used - by far. There might be some hidden options but I can't find them to save my life. Follow? Delete? Gotta be here somewhere.

larry_hawes

...and can you tell the difference by looking at the list of posts?

MBartlett21

@larry_hawes
If it is a question, it will either say 'question', 'answered', or 'accepted answer' below it on the main forum page
If it doesn't have any of these, it is a discussion, unless you are in the improvement requests section of the forum

don_b

Another feature rich option that probably was not needed......as regards the "discussion vs question"  however the "answered" post is a nice feature ......I answered a question here once and it showed up answered even though I am a rank amature with this software....which I thought was funny....It was not a green color just gray more features I guess .......

nawaz_nawaz

Below image show the step to do edit operation.

nawaz_nawaz

nice post like it

noir_vior

Discussions are aimed at conversation and don't have life-cycle. While questions are intended to be answered and then closed off. The one thing i like about questions is that the best answer/solution is pinned at the top regardless of its position in all the comments. 

w_s856

For the ones who stumble upon this exchange: I belive that it is not possible to change the nature of the post (question vs. discussion). The illustrated steps are about how to change the content (fix typos etc.)