Well, I believe it has to do with someone's style, too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/delight.gif" alt="" />
For my own part, I rarely write too exact hints. I rather write "real" hints where the one who had asked still has something to do - thus not spoiling too much.
I think - I'd rather like hints and later have the "aha!-effect" than going "by the book" because someome provided me with exact descriptions.