6

I recently asked System upgrade for a small home-server? , and someone answered the question via email:

enter image description here

Obviously the question should be answered as an answer on the question itself, not via email, as:

  • This means that if someone else has the same question, there is no answer;
  • Defeats the reputation system (e.g, no rep for answering or accepting);
  • Means the question itself may go unanswered

I responded to the email by requesting the question be answered an an answer on the question itself:

enter image description here

Did I take the correct action? What about if they do not answer the question using the 'answer' facility? Should I self-answer the question, using the details they supplied in their email?

5
  • You did the best you could do.
    – Pawel Gumiela
    Oct 28, 2015 at 14:14
  • If he do not take any action, then Andy's answer is a way to go.
    – Pawel Gumiela
    Oct 28, 2015 at 14:24
  • Aye, take Andy's solution. You can also send one back encouraging him to answer the post. This is one of the problems with leaving your email address in your profile!
    – ArtOfCode
    Oct 28, 2015 at 21:33
  • 1
    @ArtOfCode True, but I leave my address in my profile due to offering private programming help. It's not my main email address (in fact it just redirects and doesn't actually exist [i.e, there's no mailbox attached to it]).
    – AStopher
    Oct 28, 2015 at 21:43
  • 2
    Ah, that helps. Well, if you're not opposed to the odd email like this, an anonymised email can well be a good thing.
    – ArtOfCode
    Oct 28, 2015 at 21:45

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
7

If they don't answer the question in a reasonable period of time*, I'd post what they sent you as a community wiki answer, if you feel it answers your question. You should also expand on the answer at little, as there aren't a lot of details why it answers your question. There may be snippets of information behind those links that helped convince you that this is a good answer.

* In this case, you get to decide what "reasonable" means

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .