[quote author="3nity"]Seriously if you dont wanna help anyone dont do it but dont start with the usual "i'm sick of newbie questions" cuz i'm sure there are some of us who got sick by the "Read the meta" or "do a google search" answers..if we know the answer...[/quote]
I completely disagree.
This forum has generally been able to maintain a higher standard than others, and one thing which we DO ask of members -and which helps to maintain the high standard- is that they relieve the forum of poorly-researched "clutter". -I do not think that this is unreasonable, and I don't think that I'm alone.
Nowhere am I actually belittling anyone, I'm not using insults or pejorative terms; -I'm just asking a little more directly for people to be considerate and to do some legwork first.
We nearly all have jobs, we all have outside interests, and many of us have families. -If each log-in to these fora reveals more threads that give the impression that the standard is falling, then people will just log-in less and less often.
I'm not insulting anyone, unless you consider the term "dude" an insult. -I'm not belittling anyone, unless you consider a request to honor everyone else's time and effort belittling. I'm just asking people to do some work for themselves. -If I can get the answer from the first result that Google throws back at me, as well as a dozen thread references here, then that makes it "an easy thing to discover for yourself" so far as I see it.
If you think that there's too many "read the Meta" or "try a search" answers, then may I suggest it indicates that there are becoming too many original thread starters who don't do sufficient basic research.
It's not the answer, it's not the question; -It's the lack of research. -Answering the same questions over and over doesn't generate any new ideas or grow the knowledge base one iota. -That's WHY we have Metas, and they don't maintain themselves, a real live person has to update, edit and maintain them. Using the Metas to solve problems is probably the most functional way to reward these people, (and perhaps posting a thank-you in the original thread occasionally when the information contained therein helps you) is a fine and fitting way to express appreciation.
Ignoring the Metas on the other hand, doesn't show any appreciation, gratitude or respect.
Keith