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Recently, there was a question posted that was very similar to another question, but it was not close enough to be considered as a duplicate. This question is very similar to this one that I answered.

Duplicate issues aside, I feel that I could copy and paste the old answer as an answer to the new question, and it would be a good answer. Joby Taffey linked to the original question, and I've seen a reputation boost from new people seeing the old question and answer.

What I'm looking for is the StackExchange-ish way of handling this situation. I'm not very interested in re-writing my answer (I've already done the work once), and just copying/linking the old answer or a paragraph from the old answer seems like it doesn't really add anything to the site.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ I just wanted to make sure that the two questions were linked. But, they didn't seem close enough to merge \$\endgroup\$
    – Toby Jaffey Mod
    Commented Apr 29, 2011 at 18:34
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Joby, And that's fine, I don't disagree - I think it's a toss-up between closing and keeping the question. I'm not interested in that, but in how to provide an answer in the future that is essentially a duplicate answer. \$\endgroup\$
    – W5VO
    Commented Apr 29, 2011 at 18:39
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    \$\begingroup\$ I think it could be closed as duplicated and linked to master question. So your answer will be valid for both. I have to confirm this. \$\endgroup\$
    – Daniel Grillo Mod
    Commented Apr 29, 2011 at 19:21
  • \$\begingroup\$ Anyhow, I think it should be closed as too localized \$\endgroup\$
    – Daniel Grillo Mod
    Commented Apr 29, 2011 at 19:48

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Whenever you can take a non-trivial answer from one question to another, without changing it, and have it answer both completely... There's a pretty good chance one should be closed as a duplicate of the other.

But if they're really not duplicates (and honestly, I could go either way on this; but "what company am I thinking of" is sort of a lousy question, so you kinda have to reinterpret it a bit anyway), and there's no good, respectful way to generalize one or both such that they become duplicates, consider posting an answer to the new one that addresses whatever aspects make it distinct and then link to your answer on the original question.

I don't know the name of the specific company you're linking to, but I've elsewhere posted information on companies that do just what you're describing that you should find useful.

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