Questions tagged [discussion]
The question you're asking is designed to solicit opinions or best-practices on a particular topic, with the goal of reaching community consensus.
850
questions
-3
votes
1
answer
70
views
Should every downvoted answer be flagged and subsequently removed [duplicate]
Questions are asked and answered regularly on the site. Also the answers are upvoted and downvoted alike. Upvoted answers are the ones that are good in quality, are useful and accurate. On the other ...
- 728
6
votes
1
answer
86
views
Closing as duplicate when the first question has no answer
A question was closed as duplicate:
What exactly is meant by standard state in thermodynamics?
However, the question it now points to has no answer:
Standard state conditions in thermodynamics
The old ...
KarstenMod
- 39.1k
5
votes
1
answer
120
views
I had a question that did not have all of the information needed to fully answer. Is it better to rewrite the question, or start a new question?
There was this question "How do I determine temperature and pressure rise whenever mols of gases are added in a isolated room?" that I attempted to answer - but in the end I found myself in ...
- 122
5
votes
0
answers
80
views
suggest to improve visibilty of the resources page
observation:
Thanks to community effort, there is a page about resources learning Chemistry. Some moments ago it was possible to answer a question related to chemical nomenclature (link) with copy-...
- 28.4k
1
vote
1
answer
108
views
Why does the "people reached" always have a ~ sign?
We know that the ~ is used before a number to say it's approximate.
But in the case of people reached, the uncertainty comes when 1000 people is passed (after it all numbers has a k to denote kilo or ...
user85778
2
votes
3
answers
117
views
Does the way votes are shown make sense?
In the question feed, each question shows data about votes, answers and views on the left hand side, e.g.
The answers and views make sense mathematically, and the grammar works. However, the votes ...
KarstenMod
- 39.1k
-7
votes
1
answer
140
views
Brand New Idea: Make it mandatory for downvoters to comment their reason for downvoting!
(The title is meant to be a bit tongue in cheek)
To preface things:
I do not think it should be compulsory for downvoters to explain the reasoning behind their downvote since some might be doing it ...
- 53
-4
votes
1
answer
162
views
Why was my question downvoted and closed?
In regards to this question. Why? As a long term participant of many stackexchangr sites, I simply can not come up with any explanation except targeted downvoting.
-2
votes
2
answers
103
views
I am not able to post new questions even though I have asked good questions in the past
I have posted a total of 7 questions on CSE. Only one question received downvotes (due to a miscalculation, which I resolved), while I received 7 upvotes on the other 6 questions. Why am I not able to ...
- 2,162
-7
votes
3
answers
440
views
A moderator has been harassing me. What should I do?
Recently, I have been receiving comments from a particular (unnamed for anonymity) moderator which fall under harassment and rude/condescending (use of vulgar/strong language) category of the Code of ...
- 2,162
7
votes
0
answers
117
views
How to encourage visitors to search the site?
Yes, this is a likely duplicate. I should have searched meta first. In that self-referential spirit....
There has been imo an uptick of late, possibly seasonal, in homeworkish posts, many likely ...
Buck ThornMod
- 20.8k
-2
votes
2
answers
78
views
Can these tags (pKa, Salt-bridge) be created?
pKa, salt-bridge, coulombic interactions are important concepts for both chemistry, biochemistry, biology aspects. One would expect them to be quite hot topics. Strangely, however no such tags seem to ...
- 1,936
2
votes
1
answer
70
views
Reference-requests, books and closure. Where lies the fine or not-so-fine line?
The site aims to keep high standards and attract experienced and knowledgeable practitioners of chemistry. The point is to share knowledge, not "doing someone else's work", but that is just ...
Buck ThornMod
- 20.8k
8
votes
1
answer
217
views
Is ChatGPT diverting "homework" questions from science Q & A sites in general, and Chemistry SE in particular?
We have had posts previously discussing how ChatGPT might affect answers on Chemistry SE. Here, I am opening a discussion about how it might affect traffic and types of questions posed on Q&A ...
KarstenMod
- 39.1k
5
votes
0
answers
102
views
Approach to sensitive chemistry topics ( poisons, explosives, drugs etc. )
Is there a recommended, in place approach on CH SE site to potentially suspicious questions
about sensitive chemistry topics like poisons, explosives, drugs etc?
Many of such questions manifest common ...
- 39.4k
0
votes
1
answer
83
views
Please help me understand why asking about an acid-base reaction was down-voted and closed
I am new to Chemistry on SE and was DV'd several times and closed for this question:
What results from the neutralization copper citrate with Na2CO3
It seems on-topic, but I must be missing ...
- 165
1
vote
0
answers
69
views
When should I vote to close?
Seeing this post closed it feels useful to review the motivation behind use of the close option. Yes, the OP considered a number of orthogonal options to rid said food of the offending substance, ...
Buck ThornMod
- 20.8k
-8
votes
1
answer
89
views
To what extent does blender speed dissolve table salt + cold tap water?
I have a question about my Chemistry Stack Exchange post: To what extent does blender speed dissolve table salt + cold tap water?
Why does my question need "details or clarity"? Buck Thorn ...
- 101
8
votes
1
answer
80
views
2022: a year in moderation
As we say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one, we have a tradition of sharing moderation stats for the preceding calendar year.
As most of you here are aware, sites on the Stack Exchange ...
- 101
3
votes
1
answer
163
views
Why was this question closed as a homework-style question?
I asked this question: Is there a general name for a group connected to a N-atom?
While it may not be the peak of my SE presence, I was surprised that it got closed as a homework. The question itself, ...
- 239
2
votes
1
answer
78
views
What are common questions students have about physical chemistry?
If we look at the questions on the Chemistry site, what would a physical chemistry FAQ look like? Because the site tries to avoid duplicates, frequently asked does not mean frequently posted. Ideally, ...
KarstenMod
- 39.1k
0
votes
1
answer
100
views
Would it be a good idea to ask here why uric acid is not 1,3,7,9-tetrahydropurine-2,6,8-trione but rather is 7,9-dihydro-1H-purine-2,6,8(3H)-trione?
Would it be a good idea to ask here why uric acid is not what I would have guessed, i.e.
1,3,7,9-tetrahydropurine-2,6,8-trione
but rather is something that I find surprising, i.e.
7,9-dihydro-1H-...
2
votes
1
answer
78
views
There's a hole in the help center awaiting to be filled
I just noticed (for reasons you could guess, hint) that there is an edit link in the help center where I did not expect one to be.
There is no content to see, so let's create some.
Here's the page: ...
- 43.8k
13
votes
5
answers
301
views
What is official policy toward AI generated content on Chemistry SE?
A few weeks ago OpenAI released chatGPT, a chat bot capable of generating detailed human readable answers such as encountered on this site.
For instance, when fed the question
What is the ...
Buck ThornMod
- 20.8k
10
votes
1
answer
67
views
Holiday Bounty Suggestions?
In the past, we've had some "bounty dances."
In the spirit of end-of-semester end-of-Gregorian-year Winter/Summer Bash spirit, I'd like to borrowing / shamelessly steal the previous idea, ...
- 27.7k
2
votes
0
answers
40
views
Would it be on-topic to ask why guanine is sometimes referred to as "Acyclovir Impurity B"?
"Acyclovir Impurity B" is the name for guanine used by a handful of websites. Googling the term shows this.
https://www.trc-canada.com/product-detail/?G836000 which seems to confirm that ...
0
votes
0
answers
56
views
How to search for images of compounds?
I am not sure on what SE I should ask this question, so the safest bet I can make is this one. The problem I am facing is that I am not able to find the actual picture of compounds when I search for ...
1
vote
0
answers
116
views
Would this improve my Chemistry question re deducing the IUPAC name of LSD, or, if that is no longer an option, be a good question in its own right?
People have said in the comments of my question IUPAC naming of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) heterocyclic core and its locants that the question would take many pages to answer, and/or that I ...
-3
votes
2
answers
94
views
How to actually ask question
I don't know but, it is my observation but this site is very unfriendly to novice people like me. Note that I am a high school student Asking simple questions like this, or this, only results in being ...
- 195
7
votes
1
answer
172
views
Wrong answers from this site showing up on the Google front page
I was looking up some information about N2O5 and came across this question.
The worrying thing is that Google automatically displayed the answer with the lowest points (-13 because it was completely ...
1
vote
0
answers
50
views
Reading the tea leaves: continuing to monitor closing and deletion trends on the site
I ran a database query again to see where we are a few months after the recent election. As I inspected the result I wondered if the number of posts deleted as a fraction of those closed was ...
Buck ThornMod
- 20.8k
5
votes
4
answers
164
views
How do we help new users that have a novice chemistry background write questions that don't get closed?
I was wondering how can we help our newer users write better questions and refine them to meet our standards?
I am also new to this site, so please feel free to educate me, point me in the right ...
- 224
0
votes
2
answers
73
views
Why is a well researched chemistry question discredited as homework and closed?
Is no one here allowed to ask a question in an area in which they are not a professional?
I have asked this question to 3 chemists and 2 physicists, no one was able to answer it even after more than ...
- 139
4
votes
2
answers
114
views
How to append supplementary information as hidden multi-line comment?
What would be an appropriate way to attach non-essential information to the post that is only visible when needed/requested and doesn't get in way or distract the reader?
My use-case is an urge to ...
andseliskMod
- 37.4k
9
votes
1
answer
136
views
First time askers modal
Stipulations
The first time askers modal has two required parts: A sentence about searching for existing answers on the site, and a list of specific actions. These have to stay in place. However, we ...
KarstenMod
- 39.1k
6
votes
4
answers
262
views
How can I find out if my question is already answered on Stack Exchange Chemistry?
On the "How to ask good questions" help page, it says to search on the Stack Exchange Chemistry site to see if someone already has asked my question. It also says to mention related ...
13
votes
0
answers
191
views
7
votes
2
answers
116
views
What are your views on how Matter Modeling and Chemistry sites should interact?
This is a question posted by Geoff Hutchison as part of the recent election. Martin suggested we discuss on Meta after the election is done. I reposted with slight edits; I will refrain from cross-...
KarstenMod
- 39.1k
8
votes
4
answers
499
views
Proposals for guidance presented to first-time askers
Update: The customized site-specific guidance is live now. To see it, go to https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/ask after logging out (or use a incognito/private window).
There seems to be ...
KarstenMod
- 39.1k
0
votes
0
answers
33
views
How can you make formatting more efficient? [duplicate]
When writing or editing posts, chemistry and math formatting can take up a lot of your time. There is a set of scripts that can help. You can easily add formulas like $\ce{H2O}$ in the text, or in a ...
KarstenMod
- 39.1k
8
votes
2
answers
112
views
How can we guide new users before they ask their first question?
Update: Based on the lively discussion here, there is now a featured meta post where you can propose specific changes.
When users ask their first question, they now are shown the following information ...
KarstenMod
- 39.1k
16
votes
0
answers
225
views
2022 Community Moderator Election Results
Moderator election #5 on Chemistry has come to a close, the votes have been tallied, and the new moderators are:
They will be joining the existing crew shortly — please thank them for volunteering ...
- 101
1
vote
3
answers
79
views
On the usage guidance for tag [computational-chemistry]
At the moment, the tag computational-chemistry has the following usage guidance:
A field which employs computers to model and study chemical systems and chemical behavior, using various models, from ...
- 1,558
7
votes
4
answers
348
views
In 2022, how can we use comments to welcome new users and encourage them to improve questions?
It seems that during the 2022 moderator election, this meta site has some more eyes on it, so it might be a good time to think about how to encourage new users to become experienced users and valued ...
KarstenMod
- 39.1k
6
votes
1
answer
342
views
I am stepping down as a moderator
I will be stepping down as a mod from Chem.SE at the end of the month.
I greatly enjoyed cleaning up old questions, getting popular questions answered, and bringing more traffic to Chem.SE which were ...
- 6,490
11
votes
2
answers
210
views
Thanks for participating in the election and contributing to the site
Update: With the election complete, thanks to all who participated in the chat rooms, with comments, questions, answers*, votes, and also naturally thanks to the candidates.
Best wishes to the freshly ...
Buck ThornMod
- 20.8k
5
votes
1
answer
197
views
How are moderators doing, what can we do different or better?
What does the community thinks of moderation so far: what do you like or dislike of what you see mods doing on the site, what should we emphasize, improve, or implement to make the experience better?
...
Buck ThornMod
- 20.8k
11
votes
5
answers
454
views
Why did activity on Chem.SE decline rapidly in the last few years?
While searching for a "duplicate" question, the only post I found worth mentioning was this one: Decline in activity which shows a "peak" in 2017 followed by a decline until 2019 (...
- 1,424
14
votes
2
answers
314
views
I have nominated myself to become a moderator; you can do the same
Moderators work as a team, and it would be great to have a team that is diverse, has broad combined chemistry expertise, and broad combined social skills. I just self-nominated for the 2022 moderator ...
KarstenMod
- 39.1k
6
votes
0
answers
187
views
2022 Community Moderator Election
The 2022 Community Moderator Election is now underway!
Community moderator elections have three phases:
Nomination phase
Primary phase
Election phase
Most elections take between two and three weeks, ...