Proper etiquette for "discussion" "questions" on meta?

Question

I know this is possibly a question in a question in a question (level three questionception anyone?) but what is the etiquette for discussing questions? Should they not have some different type of almost "chatroom" interface, where a threaded or linear view is forced, instead of votes or views ? Perhaps once in which votes simply adds opacity to the yellow highlight background colour behind the post (that I know SE loves so much)

It just seems to me that discussions are.. not newbie friendly. I have a number of discussion threads open, and the only way so far I see to reply to what someone answers is to comment on their answer. I get some giant alert window if I click "Answer your question", and my browser crashes (but that's a completely different matter)

So...

My Questions:

1. How is one expected to "reply" to the OP in a discussion? Comment, new answer, what?
2. How is one expected to "reply" to the first answer? Another answer, comment, what?
3. What happens when one answer wants to reply directly to another, whilst referencing something else? You do this often on a forum.

Also: Am I doing it right?

Please see this, this and this and tell me if you think I am doing it right (I still don't quite understand when to do what, and I figure you guys are the best people to ask.)

Answer 1

It just seems to me that discussions are.. not newbie friendly

I assume what you mean here is that Meta is not newbie friendly... and I can agree to a point. I'm not sure I see this as an issue, probably because I'm a seasoned meta user. But I do remember what it was like to be a new meta user and it was a little confusing.

Meta has it's own unique cultrue which is different from the rest of the sites on the network, and I think this is okay. I think it's okay because if you're going to particpate here, you should take the time to learn how the community works, because this will also get you up to speed on why the network works they way it does.

Read old questions. Read new questions. When something is closed as a duplicate read the original. The more you read on meta the more familiar you'll become with how to ask and answer here, and also why the rules the network has are there. There's a wealth of information and historical perspective in the old threads on meta.

I have a number of discussion threads open, and the only way so far I see to reply to what someone answers is to comment on their answer.

Yes, that's the best way. You can answer your own question, if you framed your question in the form of an open discussion. One of my questions comes to mine where I said "How can we improve these things?" and then I answered my own question with "Here's what I propose"

How is one expected to "reply" to the OP in a discussion? Comment, new answer, what?

If someone asks a meta question, and you want to give a substantial reply (not a snarky comment) you should answer it. Then, the OP should comment on your answer, and you should comment to reply to their comment (and/or edit your answer).

How is one expected to "reply" to the first answer? Another answer, comment, what?

You should comment on their answer.

What happens when one answer wants to reply directly to another, whilst referencing something else? You do this often on a forum

You can reference it in your comment. I often copy the relevant part of their comments and put it in quotes or italics.

Answer 2

The answer is simple.

1. Answer.
2. Comment.
3. Comment.

Depending on the context you can also quote a part of another answer if you want to discuss that particular answer.

What goes beyond a comment should go into a chat room.