Why are orphan questions orphan?

Too specific. They require an expertise that either no one who sees the question has, or no one is interested in. fluther, it seems to me, likes more challenging questions where the answers are uncertain—where it can be difficult to get agreement about what is right or wrong. Questions that generate discussion. That’s because, in their hearts, most people are here for the community, not the questions. The questions are just a means to an end: getting to be known.

Too specific. Also, when someone gets no answers, they don’t come back, so their lurve is very low – eternal n00bs.

@wundayatta has it correct. Most seem to be very specific computer or gaming-related questions. I managed to answer one orphan question that was over a year old, but never got an Oliver Twist badge; the questioner was probably long gone.

I don’t have an answer for them so I skip.

I don’t think we’re any less inclined to help new members, in fact I often see people go out of their way to do so. I think it’s just that people who have been here for a while usually already know we won’t have an answer for a really specific or unusual tech question, so they find help elsewhere. Or, they know which specific member will know, and just PM them directly. Newbies aren’t familiar with the site and are taking a shot in the dark with tech questions.

If I can help, I will and if I cannot help due to insufficient expertise or experience I will say so, If I am short on time, but can help, I will answer briefly and continue at my next opportunity to get online.

I get the impression they are questions that no one knows the answer to and the newbies never come back because this isn’t the site they were looking for.

I frequently go to the orphan section, but there are rarely any questions I can answer.

I think they’re all too technical and no-one here knows the answer. The best place to ask technical questions is on a tech support forum.

I feel for orphans, I really do. I want to adopt them and give them porridge. I just don’t know the answer to: Is there any university in South Korea that offers postgraduate degrees (Master Degree) in English?

Sorry.

@zenele I feel the same way, but know almost nothing about computers, video games or cell phones, which much of them seem to be about.

I will check on the Orphans more often. Everyone needs love and attention, no matter how vauge they seem at first. I am unintentionally, ofcourse! ;-)

What makes an orphan an orphan? (I’m new hear so I don’t really know)

@busta21 Orphan questions are the ones with no answers. To see them, click on the Orphan tab at the top of the home page.

oh okay. Thank you :)

I learn something new each time I log on, cause there is so many questions tjat are answered but not enough time to read them all in one sitting.