tea.mathoverflow.net - Discussion Feed (Why do people often answer a question as a comment?)

VP comments on "Why do people often answer a question as a comment?" (8372)

VP — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:19:33 -0700

There are some questions that I wouldn't want to encourage at MO (too easy or off-topic), but which admit a short answer. Since answering a question "legitimizes" it (and encourages further answers), I would rather post a comment.

Qiaochu Yuan comments on "Why do people often answer a question as a comment?" (8371)

Qiaochu Yuan — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:11:41 -0700

The last time this was discussed, I mentioned that I post answers as comments when I'm unsure that my answer is correct, and others said that they do the same. Like Tyler Lawson says, mathematicians can be cautious.

Noah Snyder comments on "Why do people often answer a question as a comment?" (8369)

Noah Snyder — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:28:40 -0700

Also, some people find that the limit on comment length is helpful in containing their MO habit to reasonable bounds. Furthermore, some people don't like the reputation system.

Tyler Lawson comments on "Why do people often answer a question as a comment?" (8368)

Tyler Lawson — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:44:32 -0700

I hesitate to interpret the motives of others. However, it seems to me that a number of people use comments when they are writing something as more of a "proof sketch" rather than something more comprehensive. This is unfortunate for the reasons you mention, but mathematicians can be somewhat cautious people. The software does not really allow one to distinguish between an answer and a post of tentative thoughts.

outis comments on "Why do people often answer a question as a comment?" (8367)

outis — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:44:41 -0700

(I also have a relevant post about this in the feature request thread.) I don't understand why correct, relevant answers to questions are often posted as comments, instead of as answers. There are several reasons to post an answer as an answer:
(1) The answer is registered as an answer, for archival purposes.
(2) The questioner can officially accept the answer.
(3) Readers can vote on whether the answer answers the question.
(4) Subsequent comments about the answer are indented beneath the answer, so there's no ambiguity about whether the subsequent comment refers to the answer.