Questions tagged [answers]
Anything related to posting answers, e.g. about improving their content, voting on answers, editing others' answers, etc.
149 questions
9
votes
1
answer
336
views
Has the possibility of having a "Vote to Answer" been discussed?
I've run across a number of different questions that may have entirely acceptable answers yet an answer is not selected either due to a user not returning to complete it, forgetting, or not thinking ...
- 3,421
1
vote
2
answers
88
views
Target Audience
I read slhck's awesome answer about the target audience of SU, and I was hoping for a little more clarification. Usually when I see a question post using nontechnical language (random example), I try ...
- 1,733
2
votes
1
answer
48
views
Flagging answers on closed questions?
Just came across this question: Scheduled Tasks - Display the script. The OP might have accepted that "answer" since it pointed him to the proper solution, but clearly a link to a previous SU post isn'...
- 56.9k
1
vote
1
answer
58
views
Sorting is showing lower scored answer above higher one, neither accepted
It was my understanding that answers to questions on all SE sites are sorted by descending net votes, with the accepted answer (if there is one) pinned to the top.
However, the answers to this ...
- 690
2
votes
0
answers
63
views
Should my answer contain many possible solutions, or should I post multiple answers? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Why “Please only post one answer to a question”?
Some times, a question is a good question but maybe some what broad but not broad enough for it to close.
In these situations ...
- 25.4k
1
vote
2
answers
85
views
Can we remove auto-conversion of sloppy answers to question comments?
This answer to another question of mine is the context for this question.
I have more than once, had the Post Your Answer button just move my answer to a question comment for me. But only if it ...
- 641
16
votes
2
answers
539
views
How to make people do their civic duty?
Voting is important, right? And yet less than 400 people have earned the civic duty badge. Out of how many thousand? Uncool!
- 2,834
82
votes
4
answers
25k
views
How do I recommend software in my answers?
I have a piece of software that I would like to recommend as a solution to problems. I'm trying to avoid answering with "link only" answers, and so I need help on how I can answer valid ...
- 26.5k
6
votes
2
answers
155
views
Is there is a limit of how much "quoting" a linked reference I can have in an answer?
This was actually prompted while I was editing an answer that was link only, but there have been times that I myself have found a useful site with detailed instructions. Most times, when I'm ...
- 26.5k
11
votes
1
answer
107
views
Should we edit link only answers?
There's lots of them around, and most times I comment asking the OP to edit the answer and add more detail. However there are some cases where the OP isn't around, but the answer is still valid (...
- 26.5k
6
votes
3
answers
173
views
Why do people post their answers as comments?
Often while browsing Super User, I notice that people post their answers to questions as comments on that question. Why wouldn't they post their answers as answers, so that they can be accepted? I ...
- 2,788
16
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What do we do with low quality answers from high rep users?
Note: if I directly point you out, please don't take it personal
I've noticed for some time now that while I've been cleaning up, that there are quite a few active, higher rep users, that are posting ...
- 26.5k
7
votes
3
answers
106
views
Should "Not an answer" include off topic answers? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
When is an answer eligible to be flagged as “not an answer”? What to do?
This answer turned up flagged as not an answer. I'm not actually certain which way it goes ...
- 132k
2
votes
1
answer
89
views
Are welcome messages in answers acceptable?
I saw this answer and am not sure if the “Welcome to SuperUser.” at the beginning should be removed. It seems out of place to me…and aren't new users shown or emailed a welcome page or something ...
- 2,428
7
votes
3
answers
292
views
How should we handle joke or satirical answers?
I ran into this answer to the question "What lasts longer: Data stored on non-volatile flash RAM, optical media, or magnetic disk?":
I vote for stone tablets. They survive thousands of ...
- 46.4k
11
votes
1
answer
259
views
What to do with questions that can't be solved.....except by re-install?
Taking a look at this question:
Problems with sound and flash in Ubuntu 12
The OP asks a questions and then answers it with "Oh! Fixed it by re-installing linux!" I've noticed as I've browsed ...
- 26.5k
1
vote
1
answer
69
views
Why do some answers don't have edit link?
Currently in this answer of question 226923 I am seeing that there is no link to edit the answer, whereas just below that answer I can see that there is link to edit that answer.
Both answers are ...
- 1,062
1
vote
1
answer
55
views
How can I receive e-mail every time I receive a answer?
since some months ago I do not receive any e-mail from Stackexchange sites, nor that ones informing that I receive a new answer (e.g. "1 Question Has 1 Answer - Super User").
I received it normally ...
- 5,419
3
votes
0
answers
85
views
Editing OS-specific questions or answers if the question or answer will also apply to another OS [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Should the original intent of a question be broadened to make the answers more canonical?
I recently found out that this question - How print multiple independent pages in one ...
- 6,322
4
votes
1
answer
106
views
How to express extra appreciation for answer
I asked a question yesterday and the person who answered the questions went to great lengths to help me out. Is there any way that I could express appreciation for this besides just an upvote and the ...
- 185
19
votes
3
answers
456
views
When is an answer eligible to be flagged as "not an answer"? What to do?
When I am flagging answers I read
This was posted as an answer, but it does not answer the question. It should possibly be an edit, a comment, another question, or deleted altogether.
This is very ...
- 57.7k
16
votes
4
answers
592
views
Is there a policy for or against providing executables and other self hosted downloads?
My specific case is on my answer here.
Is there any policy (on SuperUser or StackExchange) in either direction concerning providing an executable I uploaded myself for others to download? Of course, ...
- 62.3k
12
votes
4
answers
271
views
What to do with answers to abandoned questions?
This problem has been discussed in several ways by now, but I did not find the problem I am facing with it.
I often face the problem that I answer a question and the user who made the question just ...
- 3,428
9
votes
2
answers
221
views
How should I handle ranting in answers?
I removed a rant from this answer. Is this the right thing to do or should I take some other action?
- 46.4k
6
votes
1
answer
136
views
What do we think of "Alternative to" answers?
I recently saw this answer, where the user simply did this:
http://alternativeto.net/software/games-for-windows---live/
Most of them integrate in games explorer anyway.
Are we against just ...
- 9,184
5
votes
0
answers
48
views
Add "views" ordering to answer list again
There once was a views sort order for answers in a user's profile, but it apparently was removed. It is only available for questions.
While it might need to be made clear that it's not answer views, ...
Daniel BeckMod
- 111k
7
votes
2
answers
162
views
Retagging questions with the answer
This is a bit related to this topic on MSO.
In a recently suggested and approved edit a tag was added to the topic, but it only became applicable through the answer. The user didn't know the tag was ...
Daniel BeckMod
- 111k
2
votes
1
answer
157
views
Why was my "not an answer" flag marked helpful, but the post not deleted?
I flagged this post as "not an answer":
I had the same problem as Dan Dyer. I followed slesker's instructions and now my problem is solved.
Now, to the openoffice developpers: I really ...
- 232k
6
votes
1
answer
199
views
When people give good answers to the wrong question
I asked this question last night just before going to bed. In summary, the question was "Why does my browser ask me before it will make an HTTPS connection?"
I've got two answers now, but both have ...
- 277
-10
votes
1
answer
96
views
Close question after some days of acceptance (if user accept the answer)
I get disturbed by an answer for a question posted by me, if I did accept and confirm an answer a couple of months ago. I better suggest you to close/mark the question as "no more answers needed".
- 3,775
21
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Are purely non-technical answers to technical problems on-topic?
I edited this question yesterday as part of a cleanup spree. It had already gotten a fair bit of activity, but someone tweeted a link to it after I edited it, and things really took off.
The topic of ...
- 8,553
13
votes
6
answers
757
views
Why "Please only post one answer to a question"?
What should I do when I know multiple different ways of doing something asked in question? Should I add them as separate answers or as one comprehensive answer? I think they should be separated, but ...
- 17.5k
6
votes
2
answers
104
views
Should I delete answers with no votes?
Assuming that I had answered a question and didn't get any votes(up or down) for a month or some weeks, should I worry about delete it? I mean, should I assume that it is a bad answer as well if it ...
- 30.7k
6
votes
1
answer
181
views
Target audience of answer on SU
You have to remember this site is called "superuser" not "idiotuser". You said "it's useful to have such a warning". I don't think it's useful to you at all. It's useful to somebody that perhaps doesn'...
- 24.5k
9
votes
1
answer
140
views
What are some good, general guidelines to follow when answering questions?
I thought it might be wise to have us come up with a list of good, general guidelines to follow when posting answers to various questions. Obviously, everyone has their own opinion about how to go ...
- 34.7k
1
vote
2
answers
121
views
Should duplicate answers posted within a short time frame be flagged?
Lets say there are two answers with the same content on the same question. Should the second one get flagged? This has happened to me, and I sent a flag. Want to know if it was the right thing to do.
...
- 24.5k
26
votes
4
answers
520
views
Recommending own products
What's our stance on relevant product recommendations? The paragraph in the FAQ is clearly not enough in this case.
As a recent example, a developer of an Outlook plug-in/addon started answering ...
Daniel BeckMod
- 111k
3
votes
2
answers
75
views
Cannot vote on answer unless edited because it is locked
I tried to vote on the other answer to my question, but it says I can’t unless it is edited because my “vote” from 45 minutes ago is locked. The only vote on that answer was from well over a week ago ...
- 69.2k
3
votes
2
answers
84
views
Should duplicate answers be posted, just to include screen shots?
I stumbled upon this question which has an answer posted (and edited) months ago. Just today, a new answer was posted with the exact same steps as the old answer, but including screen shots of the ...
- 2,319
13
votes
1
answer
168
views
How do I deal with "not an answer" type .. answers ?
So, what should be the protocol for posts in answers sections which are not answers (you know - OMGWTFBBQ I HAVE THIS PROBLEM type posts)
Flag for ♦ moderator attention ?
Flag as offensive ?
Flag ...
- 62.1k
7
votes
1
answer
130
views
Advertisement answers and company references
What is the proper way to handle
Answers that specifically mention a company's products in a way that obviously is more an advertisement than a real answer
Answers that refer to a (company's) weblog ...
Daniel BeckMod
- 111k
14
votes
1
answer
105
views
Is it ok to go back and "cleanup" questions and answers that I've asked/answered?
I've been looking though some of my questions and answers and realized that some of them are the highest quality that I want them to be at. Is it bad protocol to go back and cleanup questions and ...
- 26.5k
5
votes
3
answers
108
views
Add Another Answer—Why?
What exactly is the point of the Add Another Answer button? What would we need to do with it that we can't do by adding another clause to our already existing answer?
- 14.7k
5
votes
3
answers
292
views
Is it OK to downvote link only or link/copy/paste answers? [duplicate]
This is related to this question from Diago last year. I have seen a lot of answers with either a link only, or a link with a short description copy/pasted from the developer's website.
Personally ...
- 8,356
4
votes
1
answer
57
views
Is the notification of other new answers whilst typing an answer broken?
A couple of times recently, I've started answering a question and by the time I have posted my answer, another has appeared.
In the past, I have received a notification at the top of the screen ...
- 8,818
3
votes
2
answers
167
views
Increase number of visitors to a question (without bounty)
I need a tricky idea to increase the number of visitors to my questions on Super User. Sometimes I ask a question on SU where the answer is really important to me but after a week or more just has 10 ...
- 5,453
16
votes
2
answers
292
views
Should we encourage SO and SF users to answer on SU?
I find the quality and quantity of answers on SO/SF to be substantially better than on SU.
Troubleshooting questions on SU often get boxed answers from the first few Google hits. Same goes with How-...
Ben S
16
votes
9
answers
780
views
Is downvoting link only answers acceptable?
Related:
Ban lmgtfy (le me google that for you) links
Based on the Why is linking bad? question as well as Are answers that contain only links really good answers? question, is it acceptable ...
- 20.8k
4
votes
1
answer
90
views
Superuser homepage answer bug
I was just looking at this post that had 2 answers, but on the home page it said there were 3 answers.
Edit: I just went back and the third one is there now, does SU have some kind of timing problem?
- 8,767