I have posted an answer to a question and linked to my own method for solving it on Ubuntu Forums. The OP has subsequently commented that it does not work for his laptop.
Should I delete my answer or leave it?
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2If an answer gets you negative reputation, delete it. Otherwise, leave it in, as other people can find the same answer afterwards and will upvote it when it solves their problem... ;-) Once you have 1000 reputation, you will be able to see a split between down and upvotes.– FabbyCommented Jan 26, 2015 at 9:45
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I was thinking that having only a small fraction of my answers accepted would have negative implications, regardless of my rep score. Is that not the case?– Carl HCommented Jan 29, 2015 at 8:40
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2Nope, on the contrary: if you have enough non-accepted answers you get a gold badge "unsung hero"... ;-)– FabbyCommented Jan 29, 2015 at 11:10
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Usually if it don't solve, and especially if I misunderstood something I usually <strike>answer</strike> since op usually leaves comment that didn't work, so rather than delete and have missing info I strike through the whole thing. Then if I find something else, I update answer.– geoffmccCommented Jan 29, 2015 at 19:31
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@Fabby The description of that badge says the answers have to be accepted.– kasperdCommented Jan 31, 2015 at 0:29
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@kasperd: more then 10 accepted answers and maximum 25% of total answers accepted... ;-)– FabbyCommented Jan 31, 2015 at 0:45
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@Fabby It doesn't say maximum 25%, it says more than 25%.– kasperdCommented Jan 31, 2015 at 9:28
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@kasperd Well, I'll be losing mine soon then as I get about 1 in 6 answers accepted... ;-)– FabbyCommented Jan 31, 2015 at 12:52
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3 Answers
It may solve someone else's related problem, so leave it.
However
Link-only answers are not welcome here. Please post at least a summary of the steps involved.
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2Duly noted. I've edited the original answer, and will keep this in mind for future answers.– Carl HCommented Jan 26, 2015 at 15:31
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Solutions are usualy a process, requiring multiple steps, and info gathering. Update your answer accordingly.– j0hCommented Jan 28, 2015 at 18:18
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I can't update my answer; I have nothing else of use to add. The OP had the same problem that I've had several times on multiple machines. I told him how I solved it. Unfortunately it didn't work for his particular machine.– Carl HCommented Jan 29, 2015 at 8:46
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1@CarlH Consider reposting it as a standalone Q+A if you know it works on other machines so that other people can find it in the future. Commented Jan 30, 2015 at 4:28
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@JorgeCastro I will do but could you elaborate on how to do that, please? I've searched the help pages but am no wiser for it.– Carl HCommented Jan 30, 2015 at 8:34
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2@Carl Post a question, and beneath it will be a check box - along the lines of "Answer your question". See also: blog.stackoverflow.com/2011/07/…, blog.stackoverflow.com/2011/07/…– muruCommented Jan 30, 2015 at 8:53
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@muru Okay, I've done it: askubuntu.com/questions/579681/ati-driver-for-radeon-6530d Is that the right way to do it? (Disclaimer: I've never seen Jeopardy, so the example was wasted on me).– Carl HCommented Jan 30, 2015 at 12:22
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1@CarlH Argh. I meant to add two links and instead copied the same link twice. Here's another post worth going over: meta.stackexchange.com/questions/136617/…– muruCommented Jan 30, 2015 at 14:47
My opinion would be no. As a general rule:
It might solve another's issue.
It also might be part of a process of elimination in identifying the solution to an issue.
The record of it having been attempted and not being the answer might streamline future problem-solving of the same/similar issues.
Also there is the social context as well: it is positive for the community to have a history of people working together to solve issues.
I'm in agreement with Deleuze on this.
Quite often I find that the responses to my questions give enough extra information to develop the solution myself.
In these instances I upvote the helpfull answer(s), and make a comment of what did / didn't work in my case.
then I will 'answer my own question' and attempt to put a complete answer where I can.
Better still if there is one particular answer that helped I would make a comment for the author to add in the additions / modification for my solution, so as I can accept it as the answer.
I guess it is a different problem if you answer is being heavily downvoted, especially if it is being done so without any comments. I always attempt to 'not downvote' but would prefer to put in a comment as to why I think that the answer is bad / wrong / dangerous. Giving the author time to modify the question if he so desires.
I actually have a question (somewhere) which was downvoted, and the initial comment was not helpful as to why the commenter thought it was a bad question. I modified the question, but he refused to say if I had made the question better / more acceptable or not
David
