7 Tips to get Stackoverflow Reputation.
Posted on 25.08.2009 03:18 pm
There was a discussion on meta.stackoverflow.com today about tips to get stackoverflow reputation.
This originated from a blog post by codexon. My answer on the meta post got some good response so I thought I'd post the list here for posterity.
These are my 7 tips to get stackoverflow reputation.
Post quality answers. This should be numbered 1 2 and 3. But a good answer will more often than not trump a fast answer. Though there are cases where it does not.
Monitor the frontpage and the new questions list. Learn their cache time and refresh accordingly.
Setup a good but short list of Interesting and Ignored tags. For example I have css, html, jquery, javascript, mysql, php as interesting and subjective as ignored tags. This will help you see questions quicker.
Avoid Wall of Text questions. They take way to much effort for little reward. And usually are syntax errors or bad structure.
Post an answer even though the question has 1-2 or even 3 answers. In these cases, take your time and answer well. This will usually net you a good sum of rep.
Learn when to edit. Post a short answer at first and then edit. You have <5 minutes to make that answer shine.
Be humble thorough and fair. There are a lot of smart people out there and many will know much more than you about the subject. Be thorough in the code you post, check it for syntax errors and make sure it fits the question. And if the correct answer/the answer you would have posted is there. Upvote it, that person deserves the rep for their answer.
0 8 Like it or hate it? - Comment (3)
Alex Rozanski
0 1 / Posted on 25.08.2009 10:45 pm
Nice list – good to see quality at the top there, which I think is a really good point. And although answers of a high quality over fast answers of a lesser quality may not get you the *most* reputation in all cases, it's certainly a way to keep content top-notch, and as you say, often good quality answers that took slightly longer to post can rise to the top if they're better than the faster ones.Although I think one thing you missed out was bullet points (although it ties into not using wall of text answers). They *really* improve the readability of an answer and can break down your answer into logical points which make it easier to communicate.
Ólafur Waage
0 1 / Posted on 25.08.2009 10:54 pm
I wanted to omit that point for a reason.The reason for that is that the perfect answer to a question can be one short line and it can be a whole page of text. So answering with a bullet point or some other formatting is not a crucial element to getting rep.
I wanted to create a list where I did not focus on how you answered but tips to go around that. I kinda hint at it with the first tip but I think you get my point.
Alex Rozanski
0 1 / Posted on 25.08.2009 10:55 pm
Yes, of course it isn't crucial – it only applies to longer answers so if you're talking generically then I see your point.Process time: 0.009585 seconds
