different approaches to answering questions

[Prloko]

I think we can all agree that asking questions before providing answers is something good to do. I think we can agree that providing more background about specific circumstances help others provide better, customized answers.

There are different approaches to answering questions, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

We can focus on answering the original poster's question exactly as asked.

We can go beyond what the original poster asked. This will benefit other people who read the thread in the future, perhaps after searching using certain keywords. It can even help the original poster, not every time, but in some cases. The original poster might have an aha moment where he or she says "wow, I didn't think about that!"

I'm not suggesting which approach is correct. There are other approaches as well. I don't even like the idea of saying that one particular approach or answer is correct. Helpful may be a better concept here keeping in mind that helpful is in the eye of the beholder. What is helpful varies over time and with individuals. Furthermore, what we think is helpful for one person might not line up with what someone else or the original poster thinks is helpful.

Do we even need to agree? I don't think so, but please feel free to disagree with me. Or agree with me. Or add me to your ignore list. Personally, I like seeing differing opinions. Being reminded that others see things differently than I do helps me see the world instead of myself.

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