What is the flag button on questions for?

A new option has appeared on questions: a little flag that I assume a reader can push to flag the question. What does this flag mean: (a) A good question that I want to highlight, or (b) a problematic question that I would like the editors to fix? I see there is also an (empty) 'Flagged Content' listing, so I am guessing it's the first option. Is 'Flagged Content' only visible to me, with the flags that I choose, or is it the community's flagged content? Can't find any description of flags in 'About MATLAB Answers'.

Answer 1

[Honglei Chen]

It is explained here:

• http://blogs.mathworks.com/community/2012/06/27/new-features-in-matlab-answers/
• http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/about/answers/#flag

I have the same impression as you do when I first see the button.

[K E]

Thanks, Honglei. The blog will be useful reading. Do you think this info should be in in 'About MATLAB Answers', and not in a blog that I can't link to from a question? I would be sad if I had flagged my favorite questions causing them to be removed.

[Honglei Chen]

I agree. I think they should be in 'About MATLAB Answers'. Fortunately there are confirmation needed when you press the button and when you look at the choices, you probably would know what to do.

[Kent Millard]

Good catch! We'll get that information included in the About section where it belongs. Thanks!

Answer 2

[Daniel Shub]

Flagging a question and flagging an answer seem to be two different things.

For a question

A flag is a request to an editor to review and potentially close or delete content on MATLAB Answers. Include the reason for your flag below.

For an answer

Flag this answer for permanent deletion

It would be nice to be able to flag an answer for editor review and not just deletion. I am not sure what happens if you flag an answer.

Answer 3

[Image Analyst]

Too bad editors don't see the flags unless they open the question. It would be nice to see which items have flags in the general listing.

[Image Analyst]

Never mind - I just saw the "Flagged content" right below the "Recent Activity" link in the quick launch panel on the left hand side.