<p>I do not believe that duplicate answers should be removed.  If the answer is concise and answers the question the first time, it should not be summarized, and instead should be posted in total the second time as well (with credit given to original post).  I think of the familiar situation in which you look up a term in the index of the back of a book, only to find "see ...", which leads you to another search term.  This would create a needless waste of time considering we have no page limit on the internet.  The problem I have with only giving a link is that you must take the time to read the other Q&amp;A to make sure the situation adequately replicates your own and that it isn't just "something similar" to get you started.  As a person interested in finding a quick, concise answer to a particular question, having a self-contained answer on the page in which the question was asked is most convenient.</p>
