By whom? I don’t think I’ve seen people objecting to a post made to provide a correction. Now, if you made five posts in a row it might start to look a bit obsessive, but two or three shouldn’t be a problem, at least if there’s some point to them.
No kidding - kids these days, probably don’t even know what, “Preview is your friend” means.
Ah, the good old days - hit preview, copy your post, hit post, come back five minutes later to see if the Dope has crashed yet again…
Not here, really, as long as you aren’t actually spamming. People might look at you a bit askance if you post half a dozen sequential posts in quick succession, but if the posts themselves weren’t annoying, the worst anyone would likely do is suggest that you cut back on caffeine.
I post occasionally on some forums that actually have rules against multiple posts in a row, presumably as an anti-spammer measure. Their mods usually just merge your multiposts and leave a note telling you not to do it again. On the other hand, those forums have very long/unlimited edit windows, so there’s nothing stopping you from adding to your previous post if no one has posted a reply.
Personally, I like the five-minute window compromise. It’s usually long enough to catch that annoying little typo you missed on preview, but it keeps people from retroactively changing their posts as a debate tactic.
I have to agree with the 5-minute edit rule. The only time I ever have desire for a longer edit window would be for updating an OP in a game thread or active response to major news item, and only then so people don’t have to search the whole thread to find updates on the game status, poll results, or links to the most up-to-date information.
As others have said, the 5-minute rule gives you enough time to edit a quick grammar mistake but not enough time to see people respond and then change your post. If you find your grammar or spelling or organization of your thoughts is so bad that your point isn’t being made, take your time to use the preview button and read it BEFORE you post. If it’s a fast moving thread, no one will see any long edits you make anyway and you’ll need to correct whatever was misunderstood as it comes up.
Either way, it keeps honest people honest, particularly in forums like GD where its important to maintain the integrity of the discussion. I’d much rather deal with a few typos than have difficulty following the discussion because the past is being changed.
as has been mentioned, that’s likely to be an anti-spam/anti-flood measure.
Yes, that is exactly the reason. Spammers like to post one thread in each forum, and having the mandatory delay slows them down a bit. And some idjits love to flood a new message board with posts. Occasionally it does inconvenience a legitimate poster, and we regret that, but we have to take measures against spammers.
Lynn
For the Straight Dope
It hadn’t even occured to me that without the 5 minute edit time people would go back and try to change what they’d said. (I think I’m reading that right.)
And yeah, it has been the five or six posts in a row deal that some have sort of objected to. I had thought the annoyance might come from even fewer posts than that, tho. A couple times I’ve wanted to post something else later on but go :smack: You’ve already posted three times! <…shut up.
It also helps prevent (although not completely eliminate the possibility of) scenarios like the following:
What Really Happens:
-
moronBait643 posts “SneezeCrust, you’re a slimy, no-good shit-eating bastard and oughta be ashamed of yourself!”
-
SneezeCrust, monitoring the thread intently, reads the insult and responds in kind.
-
moronBait643 has a change of heart and edits her post.
What Everyone Sees:
moronBait643: You know what, SneezeCrust, I’m sorry for what I said. Let’s let bygones be bygones!
SneezeCrust: You’re one to talk, you worthless pile of dog poo! I hate you and your stupid face!
I do feel like, tho, I’m starting to learn some of the nuances of the rules. Thanks.
I’ve always hated that SneezeCrust jerk.
I signed up for the instant email notification so I get to see it even if you changed your post within the 5 min edit window… not as bad but I do get to see some not so nice things taken back.
BTW I’m finally getting used to my public grammar-hack-self around here… never been so embarrassed elsewhere… but made me grow chest on my hair and toughen up. 
Just do what the autocorrect MILF wants and you’ll be ok.
Dag (slave to the autocorrect MILF)
So just use preview, then read your post in preview as if you’ve posted it, then make the changes required, then post.
Easier said than done. Perhaps it’s the personality types.
Sure, you make it sound so easy. 
Ahhh, and opening all the threads you wanted to read in new windows and then doing something else for 10 minutes in the 21st window while you waited for them to load…and periodically checking back and hitting refresh in the ones that timed out. By the time they all loaded I usually forgot which ones I clicked on. Which, honestly, probably caused the problem it was solving.
I advocate a 6 minute window. Followed by a 7 minute window. Followed by…
I almost invariably use the whole time span. Lame, I know.
I don’t think it’s a personality type, just habit. The only personality problem would be being unwilling to live with mistakes, and even that can be learned by habit: I’ve done it by deliberately leaving in mistakes that don’t affect the meaning of what was said. (Even when I can edit within the window, I hate that little additional line added to the post.)
Oh, and the edit window is really for revising, not editing. If you have more to say, post again. I’ve made it up to three posts in a row without people saying anything.
Here here! I advocate windows equal to each person’s intelligence. Which, on the Dope, is always subject to speculation.
What do we do? Take intelligence tests? I’m doomed then.