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Sometimes I find an old question on Ask Ubuntu with an old answer. Updates in software tend to change the way things are done, and I can't help but wonder if there is a newer solution to the same problem.

I am tempted to post a new question, but that would surely raise a duplicate alert.

What can I do to request an updated answer that's up to date to recent software updates?

3 Answers 3

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What some people do is they just leave a comment on an apparently good answer

Is your answer stll valid in 14.04?

Whenever I get such a message I will re-evaluate my answer to see if there was something I could improve, or whether the procedures still hold true. Quite often there is something to be done, if it was only a newer screenshot. If all was good I then drop a reply like

@<user>: Yes, it still works like that.

This approach always makes me feel better than an unexplained or explained downvote on an excavated now dated answer I gave years ago. Howver it will only work for answers given by people who are still around.

11

There is a Bounty reason devoted to this:

enter image description here

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    What if I don't have rep points to spare? Usually I am not even sure whether the answer is out-of-date or not.
    – a06e
    Sep 16, 2014 at 19:15
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    Ask a user in chat? I have seen some of the more rep endowed spare some for a good reason.
    – Mateo
    Sep 16, 2014 at 19:16
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    and you can always drop a comment on the question/answer that it might not work as expected in a certain version
    – Mateo
    Sep 16, 2014 at 19:20
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I think you should post a new question, as this is version specific. It's a different version of the software, therefore the question is not fundamentally the same. Make sure to specify that it is a different version though!

Also, if the other post is old enough, the duplicate is usually ignored because this is technology: things change all the time.

If it is marked as dupe, pop into chat or Meta and make your case why it should be opened again. We'll (usually) listen.

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    If Braiam and Oli get here, I'll get the popcorn out: meta.askubuntu.com/q/8873/158442
    – muru
    Sep 16, 2014 at 23:20
  • @muru How about now? Yes?
    – Kaz Wolfe
    Sep 16, 2014 at 23:36
  • I'm not getting into this debate, I just wanted to point out an older instance of it. :)
    – muru
    Sep 16, 2014 at 23:41

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