Why is this site so crazy?

[Lupp]

Just about two hours ago there was a question about matching against a (large) 2D array. Commenting on the question I asked for and got some additional information, including the fact that linking to the foud cell (one of them?) also was intendend.

After a break I finished an example I had prepared, and wanted to go back to the question and to answer it:
“Sorry, this content is no longer available.”

Now I have a solution for a problem I never had (though I once had studied it out of basic interest), and cannot pass the solution to the person who has the problem. This annoying beyond my understanding - and I wasted quite some time again.

Somone here who finds it funny? Someone who can give me an acceptable explanation.

[Lupp]

Adding: The question was number 225729.

[LeroyG]

@Lupp, Could you add to the title The questions disappear?.

[keme]

In addition to moderation, where clearly off-limits posts may be removed, the asker is also allowed to delete their question.

While this is counterproductive in cases where an issue may affect others, it is useful when the asker accidentally posts multiple entries of the same question.

• Most askers act responsibly, and leave the Q&A entry for the benefit of other askers.
• Some feel that they disclose some level of incompetence, and would rather not have this displayed in public.
• Some realize that they posted confidential information, and are in a hurry to remove it from public view. Deleting is faster than editing.

There may be other, more or less valid reasons for deleting own questions, that I can’t think of at the moment.

[mikekaganski]

Some realize that they posted confidential information … Deleting is faster than editing

… and additionally editing still leaves the information available when one looks the history of edits.

[keme]

And by the way: I have been there too.

As long as you did some research and had an answer ready, time was not wasted. You gained knowledge/experience, even though you missed the immediate gratification of knowing that the asker has been helped.

[ajlittoz]

This message occurs when you have a link to the question in your profile/activity/notification and OP deleted the question.

You still have your answers and comments in your log but the link is now invalid. It already occurred to me.

Sometimes, OPs make up their mind after asking something, considering the question is no longer relevant for them and simply wipe it out. They don’t seem to realise they stirred attention of some “regulars” interested by the challenge. They should have updated their question explicitly telling they’re no longer interested. At least, others could benefit from the answer (I know how valuable are your proposals).

I hope that no high-karma"ed users took the initiative to delete the question without asking OP. Etiquette required that a comment be posted first flagging the question as offending, spamming or else and leaving a delay before brutal action.