# Why Only ~5 minutes to Edit Post **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [February 19, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942 "2011-02-19T22:34:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/61 "2011-02-20T02:30:16Z")
> [@NCDane](#): > > I guess doing the tech work on all those intellectually stimulating computer games of yours has been taking up a lot energy. Actually, it has. The lead designer on one of my projects quit so my work load has increased substantially. ---
**Author:** ![NCDane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecccb3/32.png) [@NCDane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NCDane)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/62 "2011-02-20T02:37:26Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > Actually, it has. The lead designer on one of my projects quit so my work load has increased substantially. Quit? On you? I can’t imagine why! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/63 "2011-02-20T02:45:27Z")
> [@NCDane](#): > > Quit? On you? I can’t imagine why! Family reasons. In any case, since they’re right in the middle of production it’s resulted in me being far more involved in the day-to-day creative process than I am with most of the projects I supervise. ---
**Author:** ![NCDane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecccb3/32.png) [@NCDane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NCDane)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/64 "2011-02-20T02:49:02Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > Family reasons. In any case, since they’re right in the middle of production it’s resulted in me being far more involved in the day-to-day creative process than I am with most of the projects I supervise. Well, I hope the guy’s family gets straightened out and you can keep on making a living without him. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/65 "2011-02-20T03:02:35Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > At least when I started posting, you couldn’t edit your posts at all as I recall. The 5 minute edit limit was actually a liberalization of the rules. > [@cochrane](#): > > Thanks, **Der Trihs**. I don’t remember if you could edit posts when I joined, but I do remember someone saying that now. I came on in December 2006 and could not edit. The change was shortly after that, I think. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/66 "2011-02-20T03:12:28Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I came on in December 2006 and could not edit. The change was shortly after that, I think. Yes. **Marley** said it was in mid-2008. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/67 "2011-02-20T03:23:06Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Yes. **Marley** said it was in mid-2008. D’oh! :smack: See? Now I can’t go back and edit my comment to pretend I don’t know what you’re talking about. ☹ The 5-minute edit has been a godsend to me. No matter how carefully I preview, it seems I always spot an error or two after I post. My eyes just aren’t getting any younger. I, too, would not mind seeing a slightly longer edit window. Seems like since the time of last editing is displayed, that could be used as evidence in those few cases when someone might go back and change a post. Maybe do a fixed trial period and then evaluate the results? EDIT: Like now! I swear I didn’t see that extra letter the first time around. ---
**Author:** ![srzss05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@srzss05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srzss05)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/68 "2011-02-20T03:26:50Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > EDIT: Like now! I swear I didn’t see that extra letter the first time around. > Last edited by Siam Sam; Today at 09:23 PM. And note it displays the edit even if you don’t provide a reason, less than one minute later, and for something as simple as a letter change. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/69 "2011-02-20T03:28:01Z")
> [@srzss05](#): > > And note it displays the edit even if you don’t provide a reason, less than one minute later, and for something as simple as a letter change. You have to put in the reason yourself, the software does not include the mind-reading upgrade. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/70 "2011-02-20T03:31:21Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > You have to put in the reason yourself, the software does not include the mind-reading upgrade. 😃 The Japanese are working on that as we speak. ---
**Author:** ![srzss05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@srzss05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srzss05)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/71 "2011-02-20T03:31:25Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > You have to put in the reason yourself, the software does not include the mind-reading upgrade. 😃 Yes, I know, but it doesn’t have to note it at all. I’ve seen other boards that do not even note a minor edit if you do not provide a reason. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/72 "2011-02-20T03:44:41Z")
As another who posted for years before the edit function was implemented, I have to say that I have no problem with it being five minutes. Still, when we didn’t have one, it wasn’t difficult to deal with–you used Preview and made sure that you were saying what you meant to say. Perhaps the OP should watch how we work for a while–say, a year or so–and after that, see if he feels the same way about the edit time. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/73 "2011-02-20T03:46:00Z")
I sometimes miss having no edit window. Think of all the great typos and mis-posts- og, penis ensues, the large hairy (?) balls one. What humor have we lost in our strive for perfection? Truly, I am only half kidding. ETA: yes, the irony of editing this post burns. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/74 "2011-02-20T03:51:43Z")
I depend a lot on the spell-check in my Firefox browser. I always take a second or two to check for squiggly red lines. Sometimes I don’t notice all of the misspelled words even then. Still, it’s no big deal as long as my meaning is clear enough. I can live with the 5 minute window as we have it. ---
**Author:** ![NCDane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecccb3/32.png) [@NCDane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NCDane)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/75 "2011-02-20T05:17:48Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > …Perhaps the OP should watch how we work for a while–say, a year or so–and after that, see if he feels the same way about the edit time. Not likely, explanation given. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/76 "2011-02-20T06:41:19Z")
> [@NCDane](#): > > Not likely, explanation given. Fight my ignorance: just _where_ did you explain? ---
**Author:** ![Hennessy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hennessy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hennessy)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/77 "2011-02-20T10:35:53Z")
Only ignorance here is someone who is no one at this board to argue the rules of this board. Isn’t there a rule for having two user names anyway? (don’t check my ip) "Original Thread 1 “Jay” 4:!3 P.M -------- **Edit to change** 4:18 P.M Blue is a warm color ----------------------- **Blue is a cool color** Thread 2 “Eric” 4:16 P.M Actually, blue is a cool color Thread 3 " Susan" 4:30 P.M He said it was blue…" That was within 5 minutes and there is already confusion. If you imagine 30 minutes as the window, the confusion percentage goes up. Just leave it at that Find something that actually matters to you and go find someone to argue with in the argue-able forums. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/78 "2011-02-20T11:17:12Z")
> [@Randy\_Seltzer](#): > > **Musicat** , I disagree with this ad hominem approach. When relatively new posters come in with complaints about the board, the thing to do is either meet them on the merits of their arguments, or ignore them. Telling someone his opinion is worthless because he has not been around as long as somebody else discourages discourse, and risks intimidating new members or current lurkers. And since new members are the lifeblood of any message board, this approach can be quite damaging. > > On a side note, it does seem like the OP has a chip on his shoulder, and is starting to take these responses personally. I would encourage him (her?) to take a step back. While your point about being open to feedback from new members has merit, it so often seems that the new posters who immediately begin agitating to change a rule or custom that they don’t agree with are the ones we aren’t sorry to lose anyway. There’s a certain arrogance about showing up as the new guy (slash girl) and quickly demanding the rules be changed to accommodate your personal preferences, as though the existing membership are incapable of speaking up themselves if they find a limitation too burdensome. There are productive approaches you can take to establish how the community feels about things. A search that turns up a lack of threads complaining about the edit limit ought to be a clue that this is something the majority of the members don’t really care about changing. An IMHO poll would offer an opportunity to find out if other people would prefer a longer edit window or if they’d like things left as they are, and invite feedback on specifics of the board history that may have lead to our unique rule. This thread though, with its grandstanding about how much experience the poster has on other message boards and therefore we’re wrong to do things differently, is pretty much the worst approach to take if you’re new to a community. IMHO, of course. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/79 "2011-02-20T15:20:53Z")
in some cases i’ve contributed to a thread with what i hoped was a clear, complete and concise reply. within seconds (less than 30) my brain hits me with something that needed to be changed and i do the edit. during this time someone has responded to my original reply. after i edit their response may no longer match my reply. it ends up reading very strange. a short edit window may help us seem foolish but it does make for better history. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942/80 "2011-02-20T15:46:22Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > You’re getting out of line for this forum. Please keep it civil. We’re only talking about the editing limits on the site. > [@NCDane](#): > > Quit? On you? I can’t imagine why! I don’t think you’re getting the message. So I’ll shorten it. Be civil. I’ll add. Keep your posts on point to the OP. Please. Thx. **G** ATMB Mode [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-5-minutes-to-edit-post/571942.md?page=5)