what is the 'accept' button for?
What is the "accept" button for in the answers? What is it I am accepting if I click it?
4 Answers
When you ask a question, people will answer it. Usually a good question is voted on by others because they feel that it is a good answer. If you feel it is a good or correct answer, just click "accept" and that answer will appear in blue with a green check mark. That person automatically receives 20 reputation points because they were chosen as the person with the best (or correct) answer.
I always thought that the accept button was there for two reasons
1) as yesero said, to show that you've accepted an answer, and that no more needs to be said
or
2) to show that you like an answer, and to "reward" that person for giving you the best answer in your opinion
Indeed, the theory behind the "accept" button is supposed to be that the person who posed the question considers the question to have been satisfactorily/completely answered. By the same token, answers that are "voted up" are presumed to be the best/most correct answers. The ultimate goal (as explained by those involved in the design/implementation of the current software) is that this will eventually lead to a large repository of questions accompanied by their definitive/authoritative answers (much like the aim of most dictionaries).
I happen to be among (an apparent minority) that believes that popularity does not equal/imply correctness. Nor do I believe that the person asking a question is necessarily the best judge of the correctness of an answer. On countless occasions I have seen incorrect translation/responses that have been "voted up" (presumably) by other misinformed (but, perhaps, well intentioned) members.
The current system rewards (primarily) activity (lots of questions/answers = more points [which, in turn, means more privileges] even dumb questions/answers). Unimaginative soul, that I am, if I see a question about Spanish grammar/word choice, I tend to look for/concentrate on answers from native speakers (although I read responses from others). Similarly, with questions about English, I tend to focus on the answers from natives and to pay very little attention to the "votes" that an answer may have received.
Perhaps, that's just my opinion. If you believe that the most popular answer must be the correct/best answer, you will not lack for people who share your opinion.
I have always wondered that myself but I believe if you accept an answer that just about ends the discussion. It says you're happy with the answer so no more needs to be said. But that's just my observation.
