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I know this is a bit subjective, but I've been thinking and it seems obvious when to upvote or downvote an answer. But what about the question? I mean, some questions are purely self serving and don't really add anything to the community. On the other hand some questions help others, make you think, etc.

I am wondering if there is a generic standard for upvoting questions?

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    Someone downvote this for me since I've already spent 30 downvotes today.
    – Welbog
    Commented Nov 5, 2010 at 21:12
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    Have you tried hovering the mouse pointer over the arrows? The tooltips are quite helpful.
    – ЯegDwight
    Commented Nov 5, 2010 at 21:12
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    By the way the answer to your question is vote however you want, you thoughtless person you.
    – Welbog
    Commented Nov 5, 2010 at 21:13
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    Thinking for myself is hard so I'll ask Meta to think for me instead.
    – Welbog
    Commented Nov 5, 2010 at 21:14
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    Start with here to know why one should vote on questions. Then, check out here for reasons to downvote questions. Cross validate the contradiction of the second with the results of the first and you'll see why you should upvote. You might also consider reading the negation of this one.
    – Grace Note StaffMod
    Commented Nov 5, 2010 at 21:14
  • Or just encourage him to think, Grace. Damn it.
    – Welbog
    Commented Nov 5, 2010 at 21:15
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    @Sid I did think about linking this one, which basically summarizes as "Upvote what you think should be upvoted". But... it was answers.
    – Grace Note StaffMod
    Commented Nov 5, 2010 at 21:18
  • I think a better question is why do unclear and not useful questions get upvoted and useful and clear questions stay at 0 votes?
    – Jason Berkan
    Commented Nov 5, 2010 at 21:26
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    @Sid - Terrible attitude! Your comments contradict the spirit of SO IMHO.
    – javamonkey79
    Commented Nov 5, 2010 at 21:30
  • @Grace, thanks - that's helpful.
    – javamonkey79
    Commented Nov 5, 2010 at 21:31
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    @java - this is a long standing Welbog pet peeve: meta.stackexchange.com/questions/58931/…
    – user27414
    Commented Nov 5, 2010 at 21:33
  • @Sid, I'd like to add that like a troll you use argumentum ad hominem.
    – javamonkey79
    Commented Nov 5, 2010 at 21:35
  • @Jon - I get his point, but IMO he has no right to insult me for asking a question as this regardless of how he feels about it. That right there is blatantly opposite of how the exchange should operate. "Don't like what someone asks" - call em stupid! That'll encourage them to contribute. Jeeze.
    – javamonkey79
    Commented Nov 5, 2010 at 21:39
  • You guys aren't nearly witty enough. No one has voted (up or down) this question, as far as I can see.
    – Christian Mann
    Commented Nov 5, 2010 at 22:23
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    Asking questions on MSO about how to apply SO-powers is a good and healthy thing. Sid Meier is an idiotic, pancake eating Canadian who wouldn't know how to think for himself if you hit him in the face with it. And he's funny looking.
    – user27414
    Commented Nov 5, 2010 at 23:09

2 Answers 2

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The tooltip on the upvote arrow is:

This question is useful and clear

Downvote:

This question is unclear or not useful

I think that sums it up perfectly.

Personally, I upvote questions when I say to myself "ooh! good question". And I downvote when I think the OP is wasting SO's time.

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    This answer is useful (click again to undo)
    – Jarrod Dixon
    Commented Nov 7, 2010 at 6:59
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I know I'm being bitter, but as a recipient of the Unsung Hero badge, I wait until an answer gets accepted and upvoted before upvoting the question. Basically, it is an acknowledgement that the question asker knows how to play the game.

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  • Ha, that's a funny point. Though, I used to think that way - in general if it's somewhat insightful I'll still upvote it.
    – javamonkey79
    Commented Nov 5, 2010 at 21:54

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