I'm not sure if it's just me, but I've been seeing a lot of answers that are being posted in comments. Nothing wrong with that, per se, but I would like to be able to upvote that as an answer that gives the commenter more rep.
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5 Answers
Encouraging them to post it as an answer is an excellent way to remedy this.
Then there is Jeff's definitive answer:
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9or, stealing it and posting it as an answer yourself (assuming the Q is valid) -- this is allowed and even encouraged, but do mention the comment owner in your answer. .. AND THEN RAKE IN THOSE SWEET HOT VOTES!! Feb 9, 2011 at 5:14
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8 pixels less and you wouldn't have that funky anti-aliasing on the comment screenshot– NicoleFeb 9, 2011 at 17:06
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I usually put an answer as a comment when the question is likely to be closed (or when I vote to close) but want to help the OP anyway.
I also put an answer as a comment when I feel my answer does not deserve the exposure of an answer but may help the OP anyway.
Finally, I use comment to put some humor sometimes that definitely doesn't deserve to be made as an answer.
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Perfect list - For me there is a sub-part of #2, where the answer is only a part answer or side-note (but may help the OP anyway)– NicoleFeb 9, 2011 at 17:04
Comments as answers are becoming more common on some sites. This is a problem because once a comment-based answer is posted, most users will not feel compelled to provide a proper answer. The question then remains squarely in the 'unanswered' column. Besides, comments-as-answers cannot be vetted, and voted on properly so the best answers don't always appear on the top.
The comment authors should be asked to post their comment as an answer. Failing that, comment-based answers are fair game. Post the answer yourself and flag the errant comment for removal.
answered Feb 9, 2011 at 2:39
I frequently use comments as answers if I think that the question doesn't meet our guidelines, but I feel like responding anyway. However, I usually mention that I don't think it meets the guidelines in my comment.
As I see it the answers in comments are usually poor quality and not of significant value. They detract from using comments to get to the real question. I have also see controversial answers posted in comments, possibly as you cannot be down voted and loose points for a comment. I feel that they should be discouraged, and ideally comment able to be up/down voted and points allocated.
