Sometimes, when somebody requires a particularly convoluted explanation, it can be a bit irritating to write out a massive solution only to have an reply-time 5 seconds from somebody else's iteration of the same solution.

I don't mind when people add alternatives, I just don't like wasting my time.

'Viewing this thread' gives a clue, but I know I'm not the only one who reads a post and decides to move on to (more deserving cases) or a thread more suited to their skills.

What I'm suggesting is a "tick box" type thing where a forum user can indicate "I'm working on this" so others may choose to solve a thread without help.