A recent discussion on requests gave me an idea for a modification. If one were to introduce a system of values (multipliers) of likes more or less like this
And add some rules to it:
The author of a thread in the helpdesk category would be required to give a likes to the participating users and/or request that it be closed no later than two weeks after it was opened. Its liking would have a value of times 10 when the thread is closed by the moderator at the request of the author (the problem has not been solved) or automatically after two weeks, 20 when the author reports that the problem has been solved (equivalent to a request for closure). Of course, author could ask to close the thread without giving likes. If the author of the thread did not submit to the evaluation of the participants and did not ask to close the thread, the moderator closes the thread after two weeks, and the user can not open a new thread in the helpdesk and requests categories as long as it does not, but not less than a week.
Publishing a post in the requests category would cost a certain number of likes. The trust level would reduce the cost, for example, general user - 18 likes, beginner - 15, intermediate - 9, advanced - 6. The rest would remain the same.
I realize that this idea has a lot of drawbacks. Nevertheless, I think it might be worth considering something similar, if its not too time consuming, of course.
It would improve the operation of the helpdesk category. The rating system would become more consistent and, from the perspective of users using the requests category, more useful, to some it would even give hope. 🙂