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I recently asked this question, and this was one of the answers I got:

I'm running Ubuntu 14.04.03, so YMMV. Investigate some of these packages: 

$ apt-cache search ssh | grep multiple
byobu - powerful, text based window manager and shell multiplexer
vcsh - Version Control System for $HOME - multiple Git repositories in $HOME
capistrano - Executes commands in parallel on multiple servers
clusterssh - administer multiple ssh or rsh shells simultaneously
fail2ban - ban hosts that cause multiple authentication errors
mssh - tool to administrate multiple servers at once
ruby-net-ssh-multi - Ruby library for making multiple SSH connections to remote systems
sslh - ssl/ssh multiplexer

I mean I know you don't have to do all of the work for the other person and that you can sort of point them in the right direction, but how vague is too vague? Because the person isn't even sure if any of these packages will work... I don't think so, but as it hasn't been deleted yet, would this be considered an acceptable answer?

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    I noticed the answer as well, had the same thought. You could flag it as "low quality".
    – Jacob Vlijm
    Commented Dec 2, 2015 at 13:14
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    Personally, I consider an answer something that the OP and others with the same problem can follow in order to reach a solution. I'm sure I've been guilty of leaving "bread crumb" trails in comments and short answers on occasion, but I try to provide answers that even the uninitiated can follow. At the end of the day it's a judgement call.
    – Elder Geek
    Commented Dec 3, 2015 at 19:10
  • @ElderGeek: What type of bread do you use?
    – user364819
    Commented Dec 3, 2015 at 19:31
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    Available bread of course. ;-)
    – Elder Geek
    Commented Dec 4, 2015 at 14:28
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    @ElderGeek If there is too little time to post a "real" answer, or if you just want to give a hint, post a comment. Someone else can possibly use the information in an answer then. Remember an answer is not only meant for OP, but should be extensive enough to be of use for future visitors.
    – Jacob Vlijm
    Commented Dec 5, 2015 at 17:33
  • @JacobVlijm Agreed. See my comment Dec 3 at 19:10
    – Elder Geek
    Commented Dec 7, 2015 at 15:43

1 Answer 1

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You should substantially answer the question, always. It's even on the Answering page of the help center:

Read the question carefully. What, specifically, is the question asking for? Make sure your answer provides that – or a viable alternative. The answer can be “don’t do that”, but it should also include “try this instead”. Any answer that gets the asker going in the right direction is helpful, but do try to mention any limitations, assumptions or simplifications in your answer. Brevity is acceptable, but fuller explanations are better.

That was a clear cut case of NAA, and it has been deleted.

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  • Thank Braiam. I think I'm going to use NAA in everyday conversation now!
    – andy256
    Commented Dec 5, 2015 at 23:29

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