Should a valid question be edited to be off-topic because the OP indicated it as such in a non-answer?

Question

This question was asked and there was nothing in the Original post that indicates that the post was off-topic. Some hours after I answered The OP came back and provided a not an answer which indicated that the OP was using Mint. This info was subsequently edited into the question making the question as off-topic as the aforementioned not an answer.

In a case such as this should the question be abandoned as off topic or preserved in it's on topic form? Which approach is more likely to be helpful to future users of the site?

Answer 1

The fact that the OP did not originally say they were using Mint seems not very relevant. They are using Mint, and this is most likely the cause of the answer not working, so the question is off-topic.

If it is any good it can be migrated:

Good off topic questions: migrate rather than close?

If you feel we need that question here for Ubuntu, not Mint, then perhaps consider making a Q&A.

Leaving a question like this by a Mint user here is just asking for trouble imho - OP could accept an answer that happens to work for Mint but not Ubuntu, downvote an answer that DOES work for Ubuntu because it doesn't work for them, etc. The OP has a lot of control over the post. We shouldn't sweep under the rug that they are using another distro - it's too risky.

Edit: On reflection, while I still think the edit was right (to explain OP's situation & behaviour) and the question should be closed (to avoid setting a precedent & the risk of answers that don't work for Ubuntu being added & accepted), since you already answered it for Ubuntu perfectly well, and you don't want to make a Q&A, I think it's fine to leave the question here, not migrate it, and make sure it doesn't get deleted, since it's useful to Ubuntu users...

Answer 2

My opinion is, if the user has Mint, it is off topic. Site policy should trump individual opinions.

The only time a question like that should be saved, is if someone can confirm the exact issue is present in Ubuntu, otherwise, it could do more harm than good.

In this case the not an answer, indicates it is a problem with the Mint repo version and not relevant to Ubuntu

Answer 3

I believe that this should be determined on a case by case basis by considering what would be the most useful to future readers of the site.

If the question is on topic, I don't see the benefit of editing it to make it off-topic. I've seen the reverse encouraged here "it may be necessary to reword the question to fit this site's scope after reviewing the community guidelines." but have yet to see anything to indicate that a post should be edited to make it off topic.