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Apparently I can't post a question which refers to an earlier question, links to a couple of separate jsfiddle scenarios, and is illustrated, without adding code.

Error is "you can't link to jsfiddle without adding code".

So I've added a pointless bit of code.

I can understand the point is to stop people posting brief answers which link to jsfiddle, with no context.

But in my case the code is a distraction.

Shouldn't questions which link to jsfiddle be excused the code requirement (especially if theyshow their effort in other ways)?

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    Why have you posted a link to jsfiddle at all? If the code it contains isn't important to the question? Or if it is important then it should be in the question
    – Richard Tingle
    Commented Oct 7, 2013 at 15:39
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    @RichardTingle wouldn't the reader like the links to jsfiddle as part of context rather than having to find his own way there via the earlier question? just a thought. yes, i could take the links out, i suppose. i don't think that improves the question though.
    – hawbsl
    Commented Oct 7, 2013 at 15:44
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    Just as the code from the fiddle is important to the question, the inverse also applies: if the code is a distraction, then so is your fiddle.
    – BoltClock's a Unicorn Mod
    Commented Oct 7, 2013 at 16:14
  • -1 "So I've added a pointless bit of code." - You intentionally circumvented a restriction which was put in place to maintain the quality of the site (I suppose because you think your question is special-er than all the others). Rather than investigating why this restriction was put in place, you simply complained about it on Meta.
    – JDB
    Commented Oct 7, 2013 at 21:18
  • @Cybȫʁgϟ37 excuse me for writing a question that explained itself, was spelt correctly and took 10 minutes to setup. i forgot that stackoverflow is overloaded with such questions.
    – hawbsl
    Commented Oct 8, 2013 at 9:16
  • @BoltClock'saUnicorn i'll rethink it then as you could be right.
    – hawbsl
    Commented Oct 8, 2013 at 9:16
  • @BoltClock'saUnicorn i've it's on hold nevertheless i've edited it accordingly
    – hawbsl
    Commented Oct 8, 2013 at 9:32
  • @hawbsl - I downvoted this question for the given reasons. After your edits, I've voted to reopen your original question (as have 2 others - 2 more to go).
    – JDB
    Commented Oct 8, 2013 at 13:33
  • @Cybȫʁgϟ37 cheers
    – hawbsl
    Commented Oct 8, 2013 at 13:49

2 Answers 2

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At times services like jsfiddle can be offline, or even permanently disabled. Without including the code for the solution, the entire context could be lost in these situations.

It is best to not only include the link as a demo, but also the content that the link contains so that visitors are not forced to navigate to view the solution. An explanation will also benefit other users, and the demo will supplement this explanation.

With your specific instance, it would be very hard to reproduce the issue without the jsfiddle links. Evidence of this can be seen from the answers, which have specific css examples in response to the jsfiddle demo you provide.

Stackoverflow is codecentric, and as such code will almost always dominate an image as an example (especially in this situation since there are multiple ways to build layout using html/css).

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  • Another issue not often discussed is that some users behind company firewalls, myself included, cannot access jsfiddle at all.
    – JDB
    Commented Oct 7, 2013 at 21:19
  • @Cybȫʁgϟ37 - I had not come across users blocking jsfiddle before, but that is a good point.
    – Travis J
    Commented Oct 7, 2013 at 21:34
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Posts should be self-containing.

Put all the necessary info in your post. Links can break and services can be down. Don't rely on it.

We want all posts being useful to future visitors as well and not just for the moment.

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    In fact, it's even more important for questions than it is for answers - if you can't verify an answer, that's OK, it's just one answer. If you can't see what's happening in a question, then the whole question is unanswerable and subject to closure.
    – BoltClock's a Unicorn Mod
    Commented Oct 7, 2013 at 16:34

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