A solution that could be effective (based on the example of my comment cited by @jmort25) could perhaps be to comment on answers that summarize or complete other answers, asking for its author to rather consider voting and commenting on other answers. This would provide them with a notification, and be read by all other posters.
The downsides are quite obvious, though:
- This is invasive.
- Some authors could feel attacked, as they could feel the time they devoted to writing an answer is disregarded (although, from an external point of view, the answers that would be targeted are usually the ones that are more along the lines of forum replies rather than thoughtful answers).
- This could become repetitive for readers.
I guess, if we decide to go with this solution, we should have the following guidelines:
- Find a phrasing that sounds constructive and encouraging.
- Limit ourselves to one such comment in n series of answers.
- Perhaps make sure the same author is not targeted too often? At the same time, if it is the case, it might be deserved…
Any other idea? And of course, if so, please add it in the comments or edit this answer, rather than creating another answer that says you agree but would add this tiny detail… ;)
