> <sub>**Note:** This is a follow-up on [Is “Y” really a valid answer to “I want X, and tried to do Y, but it doesn't work”?](https://meta.superuser.com/questions/4301/is-y-really-a-valid-answer-to-i-want-x-and-tried-to-do-y-but-it-doesnt-wor) — because I don't think this is sufficiently answered, or at least doesn't seem too consistent in its approach. Also, we can't add bounties here.  
Furthermore, I asked this on [Ask a SU mod][1], but haven't received a response so far.
</sub>

## Case #1:

I flagged [this answer][2]:

> Also, […] there is easy alternative of using dropbox or box.net. You can sigup and download sync software (free) and use it as a remote folder. […].

My flag included the custom message:

> Doesn't answer the question, the OP has specifically excluded Dropbox and similar services.

If we look at the question, it says:

> I can't use Dropbox or similar clouds tools because of their license.

Yet, my flag was declined:

> ![][3]


----------

So, here's what irks me:

- The question is: *How can I do X? I can't ever use Y.* The answer is *Use Y.* How does it answer the question? **It doesn't.**

- The decline reason states "technical inaccuracies". That's not the point. The answer *is* technically accurate. It'll probably work fine. If there were a technical problem, I would have added a comment.

- It also talks about an "altogether wrong answer". That's also not the case. The answer didn't include any wrong statement or misinformation.

- Even more so, the [How to Answer][4] page specifically says:

  > Read the question carefully. What, *specifically*, is the question asking for? Make sure your answer provides that […]

- There's no way to post this answer rendering the OP's limitation invalid. They can't use Dropbox because of the license. Period.

- studiohack♦ [said][5]: 

 > As for further misunderstanding, perhaps say something like OP already said that this answer doesn't work for him or something like that.

  … which I more or less did. The OP dismissed such an answer before.

So, what is the rule on these posts? Should these kinds of answers be left as they are? Or was this declined flag just a mistake?

I think we should at least be consistent with that. Note that I'm not crying about one declined flag, it's just that I feel there's no clear rule on these posts, given that it has happened before.


----------

## Case #2:

I flagged [this answer][6]: 

> Try adding […] `unset MAILCHECK`

… which was posted on a question that specifically said:

>  I have tried several methods […] including adding unset MAILCHECK 

The flag was declined:

![](https://i.sstatic.net/gvMRB.png)

The post is technically accurate, but **the OP had already dismissed that**. The answer doesn't answer the question. It's not valid. Period.


  [1]: http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3610355#3610355
  [2]: https://superuser.com/a/394977/48078
  [3]: https://i.sstatic.net/OF31V.png
  [4]: https://superuser.com/questions/how-to-answer
  [5]: https://meta.superuser.com/questions/4301/is-y-really-a-valid-answer-to-i-want-x-and-tried-to-do-y-but-it-doesnt-wor#comment10658_4302
  [6]: https://superuser.com/a/410857/48078