Sure, informative is on my list, but often I fell more inclined if the post also throws-in some opinion. For example, I often encounter posts (normally thread initiators) where the author places a link and a brief (often very brief) extract of the information within the link. With a bit more effort, those kind of posts could turn into something good and meritable: making the information summary (not copy/paste) enough so that we don’t really need to follow the link to be informed, and adding and opinion in the process, can boost the post’s worth (albeit at the cost of additional time on behalf of the poster). Perhaps one key factor to consider is time: invest time to upper your chances (as opposed to throw in a 1 minute line and off to the next …).

These subtle criteria differences of focuses among meriters are good for the forum, as diversity opens more chances to be both spotted and merited.