[_JamesA_]

Rep on SO is unpredictable.

For example I randomly answered a question outside of my primary domain because it was a relatively easy issue that I had encountered myself. I have since earned close to 2,000 rep from that simple answer alone and get 20-50 points a week from it despite it being over 2 years old.

On the other hand answers that I spent way too much time researching have hardly attracted any points at all.

[obituary_latte]

Same experience here. Quick, one or two line answers to simple, common questions seem to do the best.

Although, those questions that I've poured the most time into and really tried to answer thoroughly are my favorites. Especially if it's something I had to do a bunch of research and/or testing to confirm. The lack of feedback is supplanted by the quenching of the thirst to learn something new. In fact, this quenching is my favorite part of the SE sites.