Do exactly the opposite of me.

1) In short, a good answer is one that is relevant to the question, well researched and easy to read and understand.


2) I adapted the general tips of AB-Joel about "How do I write a good question?"
(I put in square brackets some parts that I have modified for answers, see also the discussion in the next point)
"General tips:
- Be polite
- Don't type in all-caps
- Try to sound objective
- Read your [answer] twice to make sure it means what you think it means
- Don't [answer by speaking] about your company or service
- [Answers] should be clear, concise, and should [provide] a specific response or piece of information.

Important: we may already have your answer! "
Source and further information:
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1417


3) In AB-Joel general rules about questions, the following items should be modified for answers:
- Keep it short; Usually a shorter [answer] gets better [appreciated] - if your [answer] is long or has too much personal detail, other people won't want to read it, or they'll get confused by the irrelevant details.
>>> My opinion: if you write a long answer, a short summary at the top should be given.
But you don't need to keep you answer short! Answerbag allows you to write long answers. Users who want to get more information will be able to read it. If you quote some sources, it makes also sense to quote the most important parts in your answer. After some months people reading your answer will still be able to find it, even if the source has disappeared.
But, of course, always give the link to the used source!!!

- Avoid [giving answers that apply] to only one person (this is not a chat room!)
>>> My opinion: if the asker is asking for help, give them help! This help could be further elaborated inside a discussion in the comment thread.


IMPORTANT: "we may already have your answer!". If the question has already been asked, you don't need to answer it; you can either:
- flag the question as a duplicate (in this case, check that the original question has already received a useful answer)
- give as answer a link to the original question (or one of its answers)

------- MODIFIED (added AB-specific answer at the top. The original answer follows) -----

This text was given on a forum for technical information. The situation on Answerbag is somewhat different, but some of those tips could still be helpful:

"How To Answer Questions in a Helpful Way
Be gentle. Problem-related stress can make people seem rude or stupid even when they're not.

Reply to a first offender off-line. There is no need of public humiliation for someone who may have made an honest mistake. A real newbie may not know how to search archives or where the FAQ is stored or posted.

If you don't know for sure, say so! A wrong but authoritative-sounding answer is worse than none at all. Don't point anyone down a wrong path simply because it's fun to sound like an expert. Be humble and honest; set a good example for both the querent and your peers.

If you can't help, don't hinder. Don't make jokes about procedures that could trash the user's setup — the poor sap might interpret these as instructions.

Ask probing questions to elicit more details. If you're good at this, the querent will learn something — and so might you. Try to turn the bad question into a good one; remember we were all newbies once.

While muttering RTFM is sometimes justified when replying to someone who is just a lazy slob, a pointer to documentation (even if it's just a suggestion to google for a key phrase) is better.

If you're going to answer the question at all, give good value. Don't suggest kludgy workarounds when somebody is using the wrong tool or approach. Suggest good tools. Reframe the question.

Help your community learn from the question. When you field a good question, ask yourself “How would the relevant documentation or FAQ have to change so that nobody has to answer this again?” Then send a patch to the document maintainer.

If you did research to answer the question, demonstrate your skills rather than writing as though you pulled the answer out of your butt. Answering one good question is like feeding a hungry person one meal, but teaching them research skills by example is showing them how to grow food for a lifetime."
Source and further information:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Honesty and sincerity are essential. Answers can be informational or persuasive.
Informational answers should present facts or opinions based on fact. Be specific. Explaining WHY something is true or useful will help readers remember and apply the information.
Perusasive answers can also be good. It helps to truly believe that your position is helpful. Before publishing, it's good to ask "Why do i believe this? What is my evidence? Will my response really help others?"
Letting go of ego serves everyone. Respectful disagreement aids the investigative process. Try to neither give nor take offense.
Controversial answers can also be useful. This is especially true if the intent is not to cause controversy, but to explore a different or unpopular aspect of a common question.
Try to build up and not tear down. Question others' opinions, but allow them the dignity of keeping them. After all, the site isn't called Punchingbag.
Know when to be serious and when to use humor. Both have their place.

put some thought into it.

To write the good answer read the question carefuly and you should understand that what is the question is related with then go throughly

be up front honest in what you say and belive .do not judge others, picture your self in that situaton before you exespress your self

just write what the heart says and is in mind , the answer will be always good :)

http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/384185

Think about it for ttwo minutes or so then decide what you want to say but remember think and say about what the topic is or else less points no goal acheived.... Do you want that? I dont think so, so yeah! :P See you guys later!!!

think about the question, decide on your answer, and type it