How do I write a good answer?

Don't use one word and short phrase answers like "cool dude!" or "I totally agree"

Do make sure you actually answer the question. I really hate it when I see answer after answer of stuff like "why should I care?" or "Why would you think to ask this?" Those kinds of answers do no help to the question asker and are nothing but spam on the part of a poster looking to boost post count.

Don't make a fool of yourself. If some one asks a question it is because they are seeking an answer, so don't come back at them with answers such as "That is so stupid!" or "Any idiot knows the answer you dork!". Rude comments are mean, cruel, unnecessary, are not going to make you any friends, well destroy your credibility on the internet (not just o this sight: remember, every thing you post on the internet is cached by Google and will be read by thousands of people for the nest 20 or 30 years or more).

Provide links to relevant websites. Relevant being the key word here. Don't leave a comment like: "Oh by the way, check out my blog at ...", unless you are linking to a specific post on your blog that pertains to the question at hand.

Do use good grammar to the best of your ability, (if you don't know how to spell or English is your second language, or you flunked Grammar, we'll understand and not complain). What I mean is, don't use "text talk" and say stuff like "U da bom. I <3 U".

Longer answers are better than shorter answers, so stop and think about what you want to say, what point you want to make, what reference links you want to add. You'll do much better at helping others if you take the time to write out a few well thought out paragraphs, rather than a one sentence blurb off the top of your head.

Know the difference between facts and theories/speculations. If it's a verifiable fact, provide proof to back it up. If it's a theory or speculation, say so.