Answering a question using an answer from another post

Question

It occurs to me that I find an answer to one question among the answers to another question, sometimes in the way of hidden gems.

I believe that creating the linkage between the two questions is beneficial. The solution of the other fellow gets gratefully acknowledged. However, should I post this finding as a comment or as an answer?

If I post my finding as an answer and this is accepted or upvoted, I take points for it.

My input consisted only of having searched the forum and verified that the answer given elsewhere is applicable to the question in point. Is this kind of contributions worthy genuine score points or am I eating from someone else's board?

Answer 1

Here's how I see it. There are a few situations.

1. Exact Duplicate

   If the questions are asking the same thing, and you see one question has a proper solution, then it would be better to use the duplicate flag rather than clone the answer.

   When you flag, users with at least 3,000 reputation will see the flag in one of the review queues and vote to close it as a dupe. Once you reach 3k, you'll be able to directly close questions (they will still go into Review, as 5 votes are needed).

2. Same Solution

   There's been discussion about the "lazy dupe," where people close one question as a dupe of another, just because they have the same solution. It's not a true dupe, and other users are annoyed at this behavior.

   If you find the solution to the question on another Ask Ubuntu Q&A that is not a dupe, then the best practice is usually to phrase the answer in your own words and include a link to the original. A link-only answer should be avoided, as those are generally flagged and deleted.

3. Similar Solution

   This one could probably go without saying, but I'll put it in for clarity's sake.

   If you find an answer on AU that could apply to the question you're dealing with, but isn't an exact solution, then adapt the answer in your own words and include a link.

   For example, my answer about remapping capslock is very closely adapted from a more general answer for a question about making xmodmap permanent. The question isn't the same at all, but the answer follows the same theme as the question I was researching.

Answer 2

I've found comments are best for saying: this link might help you out....

Comments with links are also useful if the OP hasn't really phrased his question explicitly and you want him to read the link to help him refine his problem. After reading your linked comment he might say no my problem wasn't the floppy disc was upside down. I don't have one of those 5 1/4" real floppy disks. I have one of those 3 1/2" sony compact hard case floppy disks. Then you can get the "ahah!" moment and can post an answer tailored to his problem or comment with the exact link he needs to solve his problem.

Comments have restricted formatting (Ctrl+Altl+T may not work for example). Comments also have a character count limit. If you have a lot to say, or you wanted it presented in an easy to read format you must pick Answer over Comment.

As far as the up-voting answers goes, comments can be up-voted too. I don't see that happening often though and I believe the points are less. (Edit 1: ElderGeek points out flagged comments probably have zero reputation points) (EDIT 2* Zacharee1 confirms 0 points with certainty)

The advantage of taking a correct comment with a link and posting as a correct answer with a link is the OP can flag the question as solved. This is important for those in the future with the same problem who search and skip over questions not marked solved.

Tonight I had flagged a post as duplicate. Then realized it was slightly different than the duplicate. So I retracted the flag and posted an answer referencing the link with explanations of how his question was different than the link. As fate would have it after that I came here and read this question...