# 10 minute edit window? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 8, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103 "2012-10-08T17:19:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/61 "2012-10-10T16:59:56Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > 1. Yes. > 2. Yes. The version currently in use by this board? ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/62 "2012-10-10T17:06:18Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > The version currently in use by this board? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/63 "2012-10-10T17:16:50Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > Yes. Cool. > [@pseudotriton ruber ruber](#): > > Aside from more work the Mods… Not exactly a selling point, is it? 😃 I’m thinking that having an _additional_ “first minute no-notice” edit function might not be looked on favorably by the mods for that very reason, but maybe I’m wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/64 "2012-10-10T17:35:16Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I believe you when you say that _your_ changes are typos 100% of the time, but the system has to take into account others that may abuse the system, doesn’t it? No time to edit = no abuse of the system > [@the lone cashew](#): > > If there was more time to edit, posters would be less careful and less thoughtful in their original post - an incentive lost (or at least lessened) if edit opportunity was lengthened. Less time to edit = betterer quality posts No time to edit = maximum incentive to get it write the first time Thank you both for being in support of repealing the 5 minute edit feature. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/65 "2012-10-10T17:47:14Z")
> [@Hbns](#): > > No time to edit = no abuse of the system > > Less time to edit = betterer quality posts > No time to edit = maximum incentive to get it write the first time > > Thank you both for being in support of repealing the 5 minute edit feature. 😃 No, the 5 minute edit allows for corrections like typos. I guess by your same logic in reverse, there should be no time limit whatsoever on editing. Is that what you’re proposing? ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/66 "2012-10-10T17:54:00Z")
> [@the lone cashew](#): > > No, the 5 minute edit allows for corrections like typos. > > I guess by your same logic in reverse, there should be no time limit whatsoever on editing. Is that what you’re proposing? Well, we keep hearing about how unlimited editing leads to abuse, and it isn’t long after that gets instituted that the entire universe collapses into a black hole. Or not. The only way to see is to try longer and longer editing windows and figure out where the abuse comes in. After all, the reason we had NO window for so long was the terror of incomprehensible threads due to edited posts. THAT hasn’t happened yet, has it? Is a six-minute window likelier to lead directly to chaos? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/67 "2012-10-10T18:40:06Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Well, we keep hearing about how unlimited editing leads to abuse… I’ve heard this argument from opponnents, but the only ones I see taking the argument to ridiculous extremes seems to be the proponents, i.e. > [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > …and it isn’t long after that gets instituted that the entire universe collapses into a black hole. Is the standard now to go for it unless it’s going to be a _complete_ disaster? ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/68 "2012-10-10T18:48:04Z")
Are you asking for a cite that the Mods’ typical response to a request for change goes something like, “Nah, we think things are fine as is and unknown dangers lurk in your proposal”? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/69 "2012-10-10T18:51:47Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Are you asking for a cite that the Mods’ typical response to a request for change goes something like, “Nah, we think things are fine as is and unknown dangers lurk in your proposal”? No, I am not. I am merely suggesting that putting ridiculously extreme phrases in the mouths of others does nothing to further the conversation-it is a strawman argument. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/70 "2012-10-10T18:57:06Z")
Sorry, just trying to write in an amusing style. Excuse me while I go kill myself. (Oh, no! More hyperbole! When will this maniac stop??!!) The point is still a valid one: the Mods don’t respond favorably to even the most sensible of minor-change request, and often give a bogus “BB-b-b-b-but that’s never been tried before! Who knows where that will lead??”-type response to most requests. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/71 "2012-10-10T19:00:13Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Sorry, just trying to write in an amusing style. Excuse me while I go kill myself. (Oh, no! More hyperbole! When will this maniac stop??!!) The point is still a valid one: the Mods don’t respond favorably to even the most sensible of minor-change request, and often give a bogus “BB-b-b-b-but that’s never been tried before! Who knows where that will lead??”-type response to most requests. Cite, please? I’d like to see if your interpretation of a mod response matches up with mine. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/72 "2012-10-10T19:08:52Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Actually I’m more concerned with something like this: > > **Poster A:** (Nevermind. I just realized I’m being unreasonable because my mother recently died.) edited 12:09 pm > > **Vinyl Turnip:** Oh yeah? Well right back at you, you stupid ass-faced jerk! > \*\* > Poster B:\*\* My God, **VT** , have you no shame? His _mother_ just died! > \*\* > Vinyl Turnip:\*\* But I… I mean he… aw, _heck_! As long as your first post has a timestamp from before 12:09, why should you feel bad? If there were no timestamps on posts, yes, editing could be a problem. However, mods can see the original text anyway and I dunno if it’s possible in vBulletin, but Facebook, of all places has the original text viewable to all who have access to the comment which I think is fine and lovely. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/73 "2012-10-10T21:44:43Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Cite, please? I’d like to see if your interpretation of a mod response matches up with mine. It won’t, though I agree with him. Do you really want people to be reminded of your performance in the Avatars Thread O’ Doom? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/74 "2012-10-10T21:46:56Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > It won’t, though I agree with him. Do you really want people to be reminded of your performance in the Avatars Thread O’ Doom? _Do_ try to stay on topic, bucky. Whether it will or won’t would depend on the post cited. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/75 "2012-10-10T22:00:45Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Well, we keep hearing about how unlimited editing leads to abuse, and it isn’t long after that gets instituted that the entire universe collapses into a black hole. > > Or not. The only way to see is to try longer and longer editing windows and figure out where the abuse comes in. > > After all, the reason we had NO window for so long was the terror of incomprehensible threads due to edited posts. THAT hasn’t happened yet, has it? Is a six-minute window likelier to lead directly to chaos? I don’t think this is really important enough for them to try a whole bunch of times and study whether 6 minutes is better than 7. Try 10 minutes, if confusion sets in then change it back. Unlimited edit time can cause problems that come up only once in a while. Sometimes someone gets pissed off and goes back and erases all there posts ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/76 "2012-10-10T22:07:06Z")
> [@the lone cashew](#): > > No, the 5 minute edit allows for corrections like typos. > > I guess by your same logic in reverse, there should be no time limit whatsoever on editing. Is that what you’re proposing? God no!!!111!! No time limit = no incentive to craft a quality post. (hell you could just dump glurg to hold a position in the thread and come back later with the winning post. FIRST!!! Word or a decent browser both do a pretty good job at catching the vast majority of typos. Regardless, typos certainly isn’t a good argument for 5 minutes. One, perhaps two at the most should suffice. ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/77 "2012-10-10T22:12:51Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Is the standard now to go for it unless it’s going to be a _complete_ disaster? Hell no. This is why I still never drive faster than 55. It was fine and dandy for years. Anything faster has unknown risk. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/78 "2012-10-10T22:27:18Z")
I was just looking back to see how this edit window came into play in the first place, and I gotta say it’s odd. In 2005 we get an ATMB request thread we get the Admin’s view: > [@Suggestion: Allow us to edit our posts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestion-allow-us-to-edit-our-posts/326588/7): > > Even within one minute, we’d have people posting something and then retracting it… after two or three responses. > [@Suggestion: Allow us to edit our posts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestion-allow-us-to-edit-our-posts/326588/17): > > As I said before, I think that not allowing editing means that folks are focused on content, not on grammar/spelling. If you weren’t there, you can’t imagine how awful it was back in the days when people jumped all over typos. Someone would post, “I’m upset, my dog died and my boyfriend left me and my house burned down” and the first six responses would be about spelling errors in the OP. > [@Suggestion: Allow us to edit our posts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestion-allow-us-to-edit-our-posts/326588/39): > > We’re not going to allow you to edit your posts. > > Asked and answered and done already. > > TubaDiva and locked down. It wasn’t even a heated thread, kind of a surprising shut down, though Tuba used to be a little quicker on that trigger years ago. Then, 2 years later they suddenly [turn it on with no announcement](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=404708), as far as I can tell. I wonder what made them flip so suddenly. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/79 "2012-10-10T23:06:14Z")
**Czarcasm** –will you accept **CarnalK** ’s examples of Mod overreaction to mild suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103/80 "2012-10-10T23:52:56Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > **Czarcasm** –will you accept **CarnalK** ’s examples of Mod overreaction to mild suggestions? I won’t. Their concerns seemed pretty reasonable and non-hyperbolic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-minute-edit-window/637103.md?page=5)