Question: In [a recent question](https://mathematica.stackexchange.com/q/297/34) there were many answers that just consisted of links to packages.
The answers, while potentially useful to the OP, contained no discussion about how these packages could be used to address the specific problem given in the body of the question.1 

So my questions are:

* When is it acceptable to post an answer that consists primarily of links?
* When are these link dumps better as comments?
* I understand that link dumps can sometimes be useful and appropriate. In these cases, how are they best presented?

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1 However, all of the packages did address the title of the question, which did not quite reflect the body of the question.

Answer: 
An answer should be as self-contained as possible, so examples are necessary. So, I'm of the opinion that a link lends credence to your answer, but it in of itself does not answer the question, unless the question is specifically about finding a reference to something.
[Is it okay to answer a Stack Overflow question with a link?](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/13369/is-it-okay-to-answer-a-stackoverflow-question-with-a-link)

(Ironic to essentially say that one shouldn't answer with a link by posting just a link?)