tea.mathoverflow.net - Discussion Feed (I posted an answer to a closed question)

Andrew Stacey comments on "I posted an answer to a closed question" (18724)

Andrew Stacey — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 01:19:11 -0700

Here's the question that Kevin was referring to: http://mathoverflow.net/questions/5954/is-it-best-to-run-or-walk-in-the-rain-closed and here is the related meta thread here: http://tea.mathoverflow.net/discussion/644/answer-to-a-closed-question which links to some posts on meta-SO about the matter.

Vladimir Dotsenko comments on "I posted an answer to a closed question" (18712)

Vladimir Dotsenko — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 09:06:37 -0800

@Kevin: cheers, good to know.

@fedja: posting comments kinda makes sense - one might think even after a question is closed someone might leave a comment suggesting possible improvements for future reopening!

fedja comments on "I posted an answer to a closed question" (18711)

fedja — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 09:00:35 -0800

Actually I post comments to closed questions after the closure now and then (though so far I haven't seen a closed question which would tempt me to post a full answer). The resulting time signature is, indeed, funny but I find this feature (or bug) that allows users with sufficiently high ratings to override the "official dismissal" desirable. I'm too lazy to experiment now but I won't be surprised if above certain reputation level, you can post a full answer to an officially closed question.

Kevin Buzzard comments on "I posted an answer to a closed question" (18709)

Kevin Buzzard — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 07:18:06 -0800

This is a known issue, in the sense that I raised the possibility of doing this sort of thing (starting to write an answer before closure occurs, and finishing after it occurs) a year or so ago, and then IIRC Andrew Stacey managed to add an answer to a question which had been closed for a year using some trickery. I guess the usual caveats apply -- can't change the software etc etc.

Vladimir Dotsenko comments on "I posted an answer to a closed question" (18708)

Vladimir Dotsenko — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 05:47:43 -0800

I am not sure if that's a bug or a feature or something else, but I thought I'd report it here. There is this question http://mathoverflow.net/questions/90807/computer-invariant-closed which I originally voted to close since it did not seem to have any mathematical content to it. Then, the OP replied to a Gerry Myerson's comment to the question, and the question suddenly started looking more meaningful, though unacceptable in that form. I however started typing an answer to it, and when I hit the button to post the answer, the most delightful result occured - the question now is marked as closed 17 minutes ago and has an answer posted 8 minutes ago. I don't think it's bad that system allows to post an answer which was being typed before the last vote to close was cast, but it's a little bit unexpected!