Isn't the ONLY answer automatically the best answer?

Yes, I emphatically agree. I sent a message to the team for an improvement: If a question isn't answered in three days, it should be closed; If there's only one answer in three days, it should be closed with the answer awarded best by default. I mean, there are enormous amounts of questions that could be taken from the "open" category by doing this. Another improvement I'd like to see would be moderators for the areas. If pointless/off-topic/obscene/redundant questions get deleted quickly, without anyone having to report them, I think there'd be a better feeling in general about the answers module.

Have you browsed through the old one-answer only section? I have, and many of the answers are terribly lame, wrong, or not even to the point. It's possible that the Asker left the question open because he/she felt the same and was hoping for something better.

So No, the only answer is one answer, but not the best (not even compared to nothing).

On Answers, we require that questions which have been opened up for voting have at least two choices. Otherwise, a vote is pointless. The question's asker is free to choose the single answer as Best, if she wishes to do so.

I agree. But, I am the only answerer on several question with time elasped and the question still sits there closed with no best answer. I guess the yahoo answer gods will have the answer. Hopefully, they will read your question. Peace

Of cos you cant judge the only answer to be the best answer. What if the only answer does not answer your question?

Obviously, in absence of an opponent the only participant becomes first.

Yes.

No.

The only answer is not necessarily a good or correct answer.

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