149
votes

Pre Edit 4:

Pointing out that thread's popularity is a direct result of programming community interest in said subject, and that someone likely stands to become rich and/or famous by solving the problem none of the answers, save my own, came even close to resolving.

Long salutation describing my programming experience and implying that I am a programming genius even though I was educated as a philosopher. Ill-fitting analogy explaining that philosophers make better programmers than classically trained programmers.

Meandering post describing a minor issue and suggesting a poor/incomplete solution while also inferring that those who disagree are blatant rep whores.

Edit:

Major edit that changes the whole point of the question, nullifying any existing answers, and openly marveling at inability of others to understand this trivial but super-important request.

Edit 2:

Response to detracters, repeating what I already said in the comments.

Edit 3:

Reluctant acquiescence to community, asserting that community is still wrong but accepting that it cannot help me any further, and I'm leaving unsatisfied. Pointed comments directed towards specific users or answers publicly belittling them. Thanks to those who obviously understand the issue even though their solutions were grossly inadequate, calling into question their schooling and ancestry.

Complimentary closing,
Signature

P.S. Suggestion that people study My favorite Programming Book before answering such advanced questions as these on SO.

48
  • 7
    preemptive comment asking that people give it serious consideration rather than closing it.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:24
  • 5
    Is this the bit where I edit the question title only to find it rolled back 10 minutes later?
    – Erik
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:25
  • 22
    follow up comment pointing out a dupe, then explaining how it's not an exact dupe by splitting hairs.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:25
  • 11
    What exactly are you asking?
    – Josh K
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:25
  • 17
    Comment about a missing screenshot which may or may not be required to further clarify the point.
    – random
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:26
  • 5
    @random long winded treatise on the usefulness of screenshots and how they would actually cloud the issue further.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:28
  • 8
    @mmyers brash invitation to respond to all my questions with an answer I can accept while implying that the accept rate metric is ludicrous and should be abolished.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:39
  • 17
    @random, @pollyanna, @mmyers - generic comedic response alluding to a recent XKCD strip or /. post Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:47
  • 19
    superfluous request that this be made community wiki, or moved to SuperUser, implication being OP doesn't know how to use the computars.
    – user141160
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 6:08
  • 8
    Comment that starts out pithy, but then morphs into something which would be better posted as an answer.
    – ChrisF Mod
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 13:59
  • 48
    So can we now flag every question on the site as a duplicate of this one?
    – mmyers Mod
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 18:53
  • 7
    Another superfluous request that this be made community wiki, or moved to SuperUser, implication being OP doesn't know how to use the computars. (With apologies to D_N, but a comment like that has to be repeated. Preferably more than once.) Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 18:23
  • 6
    Comment bemoaning the general decline of SO since the halcyon days of beta. Commented Mar 14, 2010 at 6:30
  • 16
    Is this homework? We won't do your work for you!
    – Ether
    Commented May 12, 2010 at 0:23
  • 10
    Smug observation that this isn't even a problem on Linux/OS X
    – madlep
    Commented May 12, 2010 at 3:32

44 Answers 44

39
votes

Answer that points out that your Architecture is obviously wrong and questioning why on earth you are still using this stupid technology when your problem could be solved by one line of jQuery code.

$.butterfly({
    aLongList: ofParameters,
    whichAre: notExplained
});
6
  • 7
    insincere thanks for example. subtly sarcastic comments that perhaps if one read through the whole existing Q&A thread one might see that this solution has already been suggested and rejected in comments here meta.stackexchange.com/questions/41976/… and in an answer here meta.stackexchange.com/questions/41976/…
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 16:54
  • recapitulation of prior comment. explanation of realization that your answer is correct, as are the two others, and that the world now looks so much brighter and full of promise now that I understand the beauty of [insert popular framework here]! insistence that I will earn the ways of said framework, and apply it to each and every problem I see in the future, and profuse thanks for finally getting this through my thick skull.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 14, 2010 at 3:39
  • 6
    (Flagged as offensive and downvoted because I hate OPs that accept low-voted answers.)
    – Gnome
    Commented Mar 24, 2010 at 23:09
  • Angry comment aimed at @Gnome reminding him that this site is not his personal playground. Reminder to exercise restraint on his newly gained editing rights until he understands how to edit other people's posts.
    – Pekka
    Commented Mar 25, 2010 at 0:05
  • 3
    Comment made months later pointing out potential reference to popular topical online web-comic: link to said web-comic (profession of love for particular plain text editor)
    – snicker
    Commented May 12, 2010 at 15:17
  • 6
    Year-later post pointing out that your answer overlooks serious issue A and B, which are comprehensively handled in (this post of my own)[meta.stackexchange.com/questions/41976/…, which is itself an answer on a year-old question. An obvious and likely successful ploy to get the Necromancer badge.
    – ErikE
    Commented Sep 24, 2010 at 17:02
69
votes
+50

A nicely worded, but pretty useless answer, which mainly gets its upvotes due to extensive use of Markdown formatting and by linking a lot of stuff, both related and unrelated to the problem in question.

Useless title to draw more attention

A lot of basic information about the questioner's problem. Mostly, it repeats what everyone who is familiar with the tags of the question already knows, but in more exuberant manner, providing the basic information at least twice. It also contains scarce code inclusions to look programming-related. The post also contains a few formatting tricks, including:

  • Unnumbered lists, with item captions in bold. Items of such list should contain a lot of text, so those who reads the question will be sure, that the user is an expert in his area, and has analyzed a lot of alternatives.
  • Numbered lists, which, of course, may be omitted, since users do not like numbers
  • Links, both related and unrelated. At least one link to the blog of the user.
  • A piece of code in the language requested by OP, the piece being originally written in other language by a lowly voted answer.

The post has at least two sections to justify the use of big font, which is used just to make the post look bigger.

Another useless title

In the second section of such a post code snippets are posted. The algorithm was not originally written by the author. But he rewrote it in C#, and since most users know C#, it would be easier for them to upvote a post that contains the language they are familiar with.

public class Hello
{
   public static void Main()
   {
      System.Console.WriteLine("Hello, World!");
   }
}

Of course, this code, having been written quickly while the post is still under attention, contains a number of issues that were thankfully discussed on SO before. The users links the other stackoverflow question, and one more, just in case, so that others upvote him for his effort.

And of course, a hesitating expression of hope that this post helps, knowing that what it helps is only his own reputation counter.

10
  • 15
    +1 for the big titles, the many links, and for correct use of comma in "Hello, World!"
    – b.roth
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 17:11
  • 60
    acceptance of answer because it's too long to read, but obvious effort indicates that it must be valuable.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 18:01
  • 33
    +1 Because I'm too lazy to scroll down any further. Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 18:29
  • 9
    Gratuitous edit of inconsequential grammar or spelling mistake, even though the answer has already been accepted and nobody really cares.
    – user102937
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 20:06
  • 7
    Awwww, I care!
    – mmyers Mod
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 20:12
  • 2
    Daily vote limit reached; come back in 3 hours.
    – perbert
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 20:34
  • 17
    Keen observation that author is trying to perform a task. Suggestion that author should totally drop that and try a lightweight JavaScript library that emphasizes interaction between JavaScript and HTML.
    – snicker
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 23:38
  • 1
    @snicker applause to previous speaker. Expression of confidence that there exists a plugin for that framework that will execute the task at hand to the OP's full satisfaction.
    – Pekka
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 0:22
  • 2
    @Harvey, mendacious gratitude for useful edits that only make this post closer to community wiki threshold.
    – P Shved
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 5:39
  • 1
    Completely inappropriate +1 for this blatantly incorrect answer just because it's on the cusp of earning the Populist badge for its OP and I think that's cool.
    – Pops
    Commented Sep 19, 2011 at 14:30
41
votes

I have same problem any update?

8
  • 12
    flagged for moderator attention as non-answer
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 17:52
  • 8
    Indication of intention to ask question on meta.meta.stackoverflow.com to ask what should be done about all these useless "noise" answers.
    – HAL 9000
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 18:25
  • flagged as spam
    – perbert
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 20:40
  • 2
    spite-flagged @Yacoby's comment for noise
    – user141160
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 22:58
  • 17
    Expression of also having the exact same problem. Request to E-Mail instructions how to solve problem post haste to Yahoo E-Mail address. Assurance of gratitude.
    – Pekka
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 2:13
  • go ask your question in another thread
    – IAbstract
    Commented Mar 24, 2010 at 23:21
  • Expression of gratitude towards @dboarman and thanks for his time. Cautious inquiry whether the problem has been solved at this time? Polite request to please E-Mail results to the Yahoo E-Mail address provided above.
    – Pekka
    Commented Mar 25, 2010 at 0:06
  • 2
    Should be a comment, not an answer! :) Commented May 30, 2011 at 17:30
28
votes

Quick yet canned answer developed in my mind from reading the tags and 2 words of the title of your post.

Edit:

More offtopic and irrelevant vague things in response to @Pollyanna's comment

8
  • 4
    immediate terse response requesting that poster read the question prior to posting.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:30
  • 6
    point by point rebuttal of everything in answer ending with, "but yeah, you're basically right."
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:34
  • 27
    +1 without even reading the answer because everyone else seems to be upvoting it.
    – Erik
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:38
  • 24
    Downvoted because I want my answer to win.
    – b.roth
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 14:14
  • 2
    Expendable comment just to say "me, too" on highest-voted post. Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 17:53
  • 3
    insincere apology that this answer wasn't selected with vague explanation as to why a lessor voted answer was accepted.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 18:24
  • 2
    Criticism of @Pollyanna's spelling.
    – mmyers Mod
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 18:52
  • 4
    Necrocomment asking why you don't just use jQuery as the accepted answer did
    – jcolebrand
    Commented May 12, 2010 at 0:20
28
votes

Yes.

6
  • 7
    Declaration of brilliance.
    – user141160
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 6:32
  • 4
    +1 for being the only user that understands the issue. shares desire that everyone were as intellectually sound as gnovice.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 6:32
  • 13
    incredulous comment about how this obvious answer hadn't already been posted, which is really just a thinly veiled chance to gloat. Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 6:37
  • +1 stating that when I say the title head right in to post this same answer.
    – perbert
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 20:40
  • -1 snarky comment insisting that this answer should really be a comment.
    – Sklivvz
    Commented Mar 22, 2011 at 21:26
  • 2
    Witty comment complaining about how you're able to post such a short answer, while I keep getting the "answer too short" error.
    – fretje
    Commented Jun 23, 2011 at 21:13
25
votes

Answer Posted After An Answer is Already Accepted With Superfluous Formatting


Introductory statement about familiarity with the problem. Short background on experience in the field of study related to the question.

Anecdotal short story about how post was just noticed today because generic personal life event has prevented poster from participating in discussions! Statement of confidence that others can relate.

Section about how if extenuating circumstances had not interfered, I would have posted almost the exact same answer. Short response stating that the accepted answer is extremely valuable. Multiple praises of accepted answer. Transition to enumerated list of reasons why accepted answer is great:

  • Praise of accepted answer's formatting clearly being emulated in this answer
  • Acknowledgment of skills and knowledge of the author of accepted answer
  • Statement about brevity and conciseness

Long winded response about what accepted answer would look like if extenuating circumstances had not interfered. Subtle yet sharp jabs at author of accepted answer inferring that my answer would have been better

EDIT:

Pre-emptive edit in response to expected comments regarding freehand circles, waffles, or ponies


Image stressing points mentioned above further http://i39.tinypic.com/2wm1lds.jpg


9
  • 1
    Pointing out that you forgot to include waffle-ponies.
    – user141160
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 23:02
  • 2
    Pointing out that this really belongs on Meta.
    – Pekka
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 23:25
  • @Pekka: Comparison of this post to other similar posts that belong on meta and are not.
    – snicker
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 23:45
  • @D_N: Avowal that waffle-ponies do not exist and their inclusion in referenced answer would be inconsequential
    – snicker
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 23:46
  • @snicker Statement that only because those posts weren't moved to meta, it doesn't mean they don't belong there. Insinuation that you are trying to keep your meta answer here in order to gain reputation.
    – Pekka
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 23:47
  • 2
    @Pekka: statement of disgust at blatant attempts to slander my name with accusations of rep-whoring. Recommendation that you refrain from further comment. Emotionless response devoid of personality insisting that the rest of your day affect your mood favorably
    – snicker
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 23:54
  • 1
    @snicker announcing that you are wrong and they are yum-yum delicious.
    – user141160
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 23:56
  • 2
    @snicker Cool diagnosis, outlining how your overly emotional response must be sign of serious issues. Feignedly symphatetic recommendation of getting some help. Subtle insinuation of your desperate need for rep points being an expression of a deeper deficit in your personal life. Confirmation that the rest of my day is indeed affecting my mood very favourably. Sideways mention of being a total success with women. Subtle implication that you are not. Announcement about having a hot date tonight, and therefore inability to spend any more time in this discussion
    – Pekka
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 0:13
  • @Pollyana: Quite nearly a year later!
    – snicker
    Commented Feb 6, 2011 at 22:40
23
votes

Dismissive reply by megapoint user.

Statement of annoyance about having to explain himself by way of this update. Introduction to some ASCII art that elucidates nothing about the problem but does reveal why you ought to upvote him.

-----------------------------------
|                ___      _______/|
|           ____/   \    /        |
|          /         \  /         |
|         /           \/          |
|        /              *         |
|   /\  /                         |
|  /  \/                          |
| /    *                          |
|/                                |
-----------------------------------
my knowledge
* note that downturns and plateaus were result of listening to other people

-----------------------------------
|                                 |
|                                 |
|                                 |
|                                 |
|                                 |
|                                 |
|  _______________________________|
| / *                             |
|/                                |
-----------------------------------
your knowledge 
* note that uptick is from one of my previous answers
10
  • I downvote dismissive replies.
    – Erik
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:37
  • deliberate misinterpretation of answer to prove the point.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:37
  • Sneer at downvote.
    – user141160
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:37
  • 1
    @Pollyanna adoption of tone that suggests but does not claim insider knowledge about something X that has tangential application to the problem. (Or does one @user when being this snooty? I dunno.)
    – user141160
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:38
  • @D_N request for proof with subtext that it's BS
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:41
  • 2
    +1 sympathetic upvote with wink - we megapoint users gotta stick together...
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:41
  • smug silence? (I dunno, my act runs out at this point.)
    – user141160
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 5:51
  • 3
    Criticize @Pollyana for sympathy upvote.
    – perbert
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 20:37
  • Some formulation marginally better than a growl @voyager, pointing to my update.
    – user141160
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 21:47
  • 11
    Removing downvote to recover my own points, even though I allude its because you made your answer more useful.
    – Erik
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 23:14
19
votes

Answer that nearly copies an upvoted answer, with a few clarifying comments, in hopes of getting some cheap upvotes.

1
  • 14
    upvote based on desire to bury other answers rather than value of this answer.
    – user141160
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 6:10
14
votes
+500

Pile-on answer that adds nothing new, posted in the hopes that hanging onto the coattails of what looks like a high-vote question will score some cheap points.

1
  • 3
    Comment pointing out differences between this and other answers in a favorable way, missing the point entirely. Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 18:28
11
votes

Answers own problem with the same solution already in the question. Dismisses other answers out of hand as "unworkable" and "overly simplistic."

Reiterates ideal solution again while challenging others to prove otherwise with real data, while providing no proof of this perspective.

13
  • 1
    admonishment for failing to consider security implications inherent in the presented solution. reminders of the many situations where solution is downright dangerous. Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 6:00
  • 2
    @~quack dismissal of concerns as rare and unlikely
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 6:03
  • 1
    @pollyanna: vehement objection to dismissal; explicit enumeration of prerequisites for safety: point 1, point 2, ...point n. concluding opinion that OP is a doodie-head and resulting product will corrupt any filesystem it touches. Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 6:14
  • 2
    @~quack subtle implication that your maternal progenitor corrupts any file system she touches without being so blatant as to raise the moderator's ire.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 6:17
  • 5
    Flagging for moderation attention because somebody used a word that I consider inappropriate.
    – perbert
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 20:39
  • 4
    @Pollyanna subtle implication that your maternal progenitor has a width property so large, your window needs two scroll bars
    – Pekka
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 23:27
  • 2
    @pekka dismissal of your comment as an obvious jealousy of my might and wisdom. Indication that I don't participate in such reprehensible behavior, but that if I did I would likely point out that the female of your nativity requires a distributed peer-to-peer service to move from location to location.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 1:34
  • 2
    @Pollyanna suggestion that if engaged in a mud wrestling fight, the female of my nativity would with utmost certainty be able to wrap the mammary glands of your maternal progenitor around her neck, after which she would be able to force her to the ground with high velocity. Assertion of a high probability that your maternal progenitor would sustain considerable dental damage in the process, requiring medical attention over an extended period of time. Expression of suspicion that your family has no sufficient health insurance to pay for that attention. Expression of gloat about this fact.
    – Pekka
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 1:58
  • 3
    @Pollyanna also, assertion that the calculation of your maternal progenitor's Body Mass Index by a health insurance company broke a number of unit tests in said company's in-house software.
    – Pekka
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 2:01
  • 2
    @Pekka, @Pollyanna: description of gouging own eyes out while screaming bloody epithets at you both for the mental image of your maternal progenitors mud wrestling. announces plans for self-trepanation in the near future to get rid of said image. invites you both to enjoy your hot dates with Mr./Ms. Right(Hand), gives you the one-fingered salute, and logs off. Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 3:08
  • 1
    Leaving a comment explaining why I just downvoted this answer which usually contains a mixture of SQL Injections, poor performance/scaling, incompatibilities to many clients or causes the system to become self aware and killing Unicorns. Editing this comment in response to a later comment that points out there are no Unicorns to clarify that the non-existence of Unicorns just proves my point about the self-aware system. Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 15:46
  • @Michael sarcastic comment about how there are no unicorns, and pointed remarks about how short examples aren't meant to contain extensive code to protect against attacks, nor optimize for performance. expression of general agreement that it would be good if the answer mentioned such issues generally, but that the reader is expected to understand them prior to applying this solution.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 16:49
  • 3
    @Pollyanna: +1 for killing unicorns. perhaps this solution is worthy after all. Commented Mar 14, 2010 at 0:05
11
votes

Late arriving answer seemingly ignored by everyone.

2
  • 5
    perfunctory comment indicating that OP read this answer, but doesn't feel it's otherwise worth responding to.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 17:54
  • 4
    Ignoring answer even though the presented solution is just perfect, but buried in the middle of more "loud" answers and because I kinda gave up on this question due to the comparison of several peoples' mothers to Multithreaded-COM Servers that communicate using CORBA. Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 17:42
11
votes

Answer of poor inglish is formed and explanations running in intersection directions of longitude but rainfalls in code perfectwise question answering:

public class Hello {
    public static void Main() {
       System.Console.WriteLine("Hello, World!");}
}
1
  • 5
    Brillant is answer for the upvote it must. k thx bye.
    – scunliffe
    Commented May 12, 2010 at 0:57
10
votes

An obligatory non-answer answer that was only posted so that maybe some random passerby will understand why I cannot earn any meta rep and vote this answer up.

Update:

after reading the well reasoned arguments you outlined in comments.

6
  • 2
    +1 for smiley. feigned concern for problems described in answer.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 20:26
  • 18
    -1 for racist smileys.
    – mmyers Mod
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 21:25
  • 2
    Expression of weariness of interpretation of racist motives into totally innocent symbols.
    – Pekka
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 2:21
  • 3
    @Sinan: You're not playing this very well... ;)
    – mmyers Mod
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 3:02
  • 11
    Complaint that people can delete comments and leave later comments looking foolish.
    – mmyers Mod
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 5:26
  • 5
    @mmyers Who? Me? What? When? Where? Really? and further attempts at trying to hide embarrassment at being caught red handed after misunderstanding earlier comment. Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 11:43
9
votes

A thinly veiled lmgtfy link that gets the OP to memorable quotes from Pulp Fiction.

11
  • 5
    exasperation at google link indicating that I already googled and that if google had the answer I wouldn't have bothered with the yahoos on SO.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 17:57
  • 5
    Smug, self-righteous comment expressing disapproval with your obviously manipulative and remorseless attempt to subvert the system that blocks LMGTFY links.
    – user102937
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 19:42
  • 2
    @Robert sonorous complaint about censoring out links.
    – perbert
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 20:42
  • @voyager link to faq - if you don't like the site's rules, maybe this site isn't for you.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 14:08
  • 2
    @Pollyanna: rant about how unsupportive the community is, about how we are loosing valuable contributors by not allowing us to use signatures, how you are all deletionists and censors, and storm out of the thread saying I will never come back again.
    – perbert
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 14:52
  • 1
    Goes to meta to post question stating that they'll never ever use SO again because of the Nazi community.
    – perbert
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 14:53
  • 5
    Keeps on using SO after realizing that the alternative is changing my sex expertly.
    – perbert
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 14:54
  • Comment about dislike of lmgtfy answers. Gets snarky at end. Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 18:29
  • Comment about how SO's filters don't catch lmgtfy pages behind tinyURL links.
    – Pekka
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 20:20
  • 3
    Comment shorter than 15 chars.
    – perbert
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 20:39
  • 2
    Meta user with <101 rep creates a question tagged bug about short comments.
    – perbert
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 20:39
9
votes

Gratuitous reply to fulfill need for camaraderie. Inserting random humor with only tangential relevance to the original question.

Feigning humor failing. Must insert superfluous comic:

alt text http://www.emailexpressdirect.com/worst%2Demail%2Dnewsletter%2Dmistakes/images/img-spam.jpg

11
  • 3
    threat to flag for moderator due to lack of attribution and hotlinking while implying spammyness of answer.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 18:00
  • 2
    @Pollyanna - Snarky reply to irritate detractors without addressing any of the issues raised. Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 18:07
  • 1
    @Robert livid with anger, invokes godwin's law
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 18:31
  • 3
    @Pollyanna: Only a comment nazi would invoke Godwin's Law.
    – mmyers Mod
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 18:46
  • 1
    Interjection about not really getting the comic strip.
    – Pekka
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 23:54
  • 3
    Self-important assertion that four-letter webcomics have lately jumped the shark.
    – Jimmy
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 0:58
  • 4
    Link to four letter comic with main subject of comic being a jumping shark.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 1:35
  • Request for someone to please explain the comic strip.
    – Pekka
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 11:16
  • 2
    @pekka explanation of comic strip with insinuation that programmers of a certain quality would certainly understand it without explanation. link to four letter comic that describes how dissecting a joke kills it.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 14:07
  • 1
    Random link in long chain of comments without any explanation of context: emailexpressdirect.com/worst-email-newsletter-mistakes Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 14:58
  • 3
    @Pollyanna Retort that if that was the punch line, it really wasn't that great a joke. Claim to have realized that obvious part instantly, but to have been looking for a more original, deeper meaning behind it.
    – Pekka
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 15:34
8
votes

Vague gratitude expressed to the OP because I have the same problem. Except on a different system, with different commands involved. But perhaps you can solve my problem too?

4
  • expression of kinship with Ether for having a similar issue, and suggestion that while OP's own problem remains unsolved perhaps Ether should open a new question to draw more attention to both related problems. expression of warm regards.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 17:56
  • 6
    Explanation of the SO Q&A system vis-à-vis a traditional forum, ending with a suggestion to learn how to read the FAQ. Apology for possibly sounding rude.
    – mmyers Mod
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 20:05
  • +1 Figuratively flagging non-answer answer as spam while literally voting it up! Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 21:22
  • 1
    -1, suggestion that this comment-posted-as-answer be posted as a comment. Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 22:38
7
votes

Snarky non-answer that should have been a comment.

1
  • 7
    snarky offhand comment that I will delete in a couple months to avoid looking like an asshole. Commented Jan 8, 2011 at 22:22
6
votes

Answer that addresses only the title and ignore the content of the post, poster didn't even read the other answers.

(Example: Try jQuery)

4
  • upvote because I like solution presented for normal problems with explanation of my failed attempt to use this solution and how it failed already, bringing me to come to SO.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 18:29
  • Argument about how another totally different generic solution to wrong problem is better. Reason 1. Reason 2. Declaration that Downvoter is an idito. Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 18:32
  • Snarky comment about @David's inability to spell idiot correctly. Bold statement questioning the validity of his entire comment based on that blatant exposition of illiteracy.
    – Pekka
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 20:18
  • 2
    Objection to putting 'idiot' in <code> tags, suggesting this is an attack on front-end developers.
    – user141160
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 22:49
6
votes

Answer deliberately close to but not quite correct, designed to get the occasional downvote to be canceled by the occasional sympathy upvote, with the intention of picking up some easy rep.

5
  • 12
    Your depth of strategy disturbs the balance of my brain juices.
    – user141160
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 22:54
  • 1
    Technically, some of you guys should be downvoting this. So far, I've got four upvotes and no downvotes. Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 18:26
  • -1: I see through your ruse ...
    – IAbstract
    Commented Mar 24, 2010 at 23:26
  • There's been only one -1 so far. It's not working. Commented Jul 25, 2010 at 12:17
  • 2
    comment pointing out that i would downvote you but i don't have enough rep yet. Commented Jan 8, 2011 at 22:23
5
votes

Answer that disagrees but doesn't actually provide any evidence as to why the suggestion made but the OP is wrong, trying to get the upvotes from the people that disagree with it but doesn't want to downvote the question to avoid the loss of a reputation point.

  • Invented reason the system works good as it is 1
  • Invented reason the system works good as it is 2
1
  • 3
    assertion that I am right with links to several questions which don't prove anything but would take too long to read and understand so most people will give up before figuring out I'm BS'ing
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 17:59
5
votes

Quick answer posted just before voting to close the answer.

2
  • 1
    comment insinuating that you are a hypocrite and likely a Rep whore, and pointing you here for further discussion of your unsavory behavior: meta.stackexchange.com/questions/4283/… Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 20:57
  • 13
    belittling your knowledge of so - you can't vote to close answers
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 12, 2010 at 22:10
5
votes

Late answer indicating that the existing highly upvoted answers, including the accepted answer, are now wrong due to recent patches for the program or a new major release of the language.

Completely correct example showing that it is now trivial to achieve what the OP wants by doing

foo.newlyAvailableFeature("and/or", >syntax<);

Edit added the next day wondering why the asker hasn't changed the accepted checkmark to this answer and why nobody is upvoting.


Edit 2 added a few days later griping about how terrible it is that the community doesn't care about old questions.

2
  • 1
    Comment that I flagged post with alert to moderator ("this question is no longer relevant and doesn't need new responses") to have moderator lock question Commented Jun 23, 2011 at 21:28
  • Smug note that even the language authors validated the OP's concern by addressing it specifically within the language. Flippant response indicating that OP has long since moved on from this now trivial issue, and rather than update it with a new correct answer OP feels it's more constructive to let the question live in stasis as-is, for the benefit of future generations.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Jun 24, 2011 at 12:52
4
votes

Especially badly written, or wrong answer with the sole purpose of gathering 3 downvotes, so I can delete this answer again and harvest myself a nice and shiny [Peer Pressure] badge.

Of course made CW so I won't lose any of those precious internet dollar points in the process.

3
  • 3
    +1 just to frustrate obvious badge-whoring. flagged for mod attention so the answerer's posting history can be examined for sockpuppetry. Commented Mar 14, 2010 at 2:19
  • flagged with comment encouraging others to flag so user loses 100 rep for abusive answer.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 14, 2010 at 3:45
  • 3
    Comment telling this anwer will be deleted and thanking the folks for the even more shiny [Disciplined] badge.
    – fretje
    Commented Mar 14, 2010 at 18:48
4
votes

Edit which completely changes the meaning, wording, and essence of the post due to its prior poor grammar and spelling.

1
  • 1
    expression of hope that you don't mind changes. suggestion to revert them if new edit is unsatisfactory with thinly veiled pride that you won't consider it due to my stellar re-phrasing of your post.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 14, 2010 at 3:44
4
votes

Extremely late answer that ignores everything already written and makes a duplicate joke because the question's so popular

Also hoping for a [Necromancer] badge...

4
votes

Hello sir, thanks for the excelent q. Having same prob here, plz can ne1 help? Mail me teh codez to [email protected] Thank you and God bless

3
  • 2
    abrupt comment questioning whether this is an answer to the question. Commented Jan 8, 2011 at 22:10
  • 1
    @calavera soothing comment reminding that this is the only way for new low-rep members to add input to a question. Musing that it has been discussed on Meta several times, and that maybe it is time to start another feature request regarding this.
    – Pekka
    Commented Jan 9, 2011 at 0:08
  • 2
    comment by newbie pointing out that this is not the way of using this site and that you should open a new question. Commented Feb 17, 2011 at 15:02
4
votes

Answer that steals the previous answer idea, hoping to be slightly better in order to steal the auto-award of the bounty (or failing that, then at least some extra upvotes from the attention the bounty draws).

1
  • CAPITALIZED STATEMENT OF EXTREME DISPLEASURE
    – mmyers Mod
    Commented Feb 17, 2011 at 15:42
4
votes

http://www.unexplained-link.com/with-no-other-context

1
  • 8
    flags as spam, then searches through user history to find other posts to flag as spam
    – mmyers Mod
    Commented Jun 23, 2011 at 15:13
3
votes

Six to eight weeks.

2
  • 4
    flippant agreement with specific assessment but encouragement to expand on answer with specific methods used to reach this approximation.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 13, 2010 at 16:51
  • 6
    @Pollyanna: specific methods used to reach that approximation will take six to eight weeks to enumerate. Commented Mar 14, 2010 at 2:17
3
votes

Unexplainably late reply with poor spelind and grammer by low-rep user that includes a suspicious spammy-looking but still ambiguous link to something that might actually solve the problem, if only the web page didn't make your eyes bleed and head explode from looking at it because the background is yellow and the site uses frames and looks like it might be a direct word-for-word translation from the original Chinese.

Unnecessary closing greeting,
Vaguely foreign-sounding first name

1
  • 2
    flag offensive due to lack of eyebleach for website.
    – Pollyanna
    Commented Mar 25, 2010 at 1:05

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