Sammie, i'm with ya on how many people don't read the docs, and I know every message board out there has frustrated regulars who face the same questions daily. How many times have we read "use the search" "read the FAQS" and "this has been answered 18,000 times before".. all community sites have that problem.

I'm not saying we should hand-hold people who just won't help themselves, and your sometimes sammie-smacking them might be just what some need to step up a see more bit.

The only cure for it isn't to leave questions unanswered. It's getting in right away with a "this info is posted in the dummies guide.." for example, and a link to it.

Now, when the next newbie searches for "license" he won't find 37 unanswered posts about it, and add his to the mix making number 38 this week. He'll find 10, 11, 12 posts all answered "This info is in the dummies guide which is here"

That does sink in, and first off -- gets everyone aware of where the dummies resource is.. and it also makes people not feel so ignored and helpless. Those people will grow into confident users that will further support the software, and just might help market your book, or give good reviews on your hosting, or whatever the natural results are of positive casual forum relationships.

I wasn't so much bitching at regulars for not answering questions, most fo the old regulars around here seem to have done a LOT to post info and have developed a following for their excellent helps. I was trying to remind the new folks they can help out even if they're new. Taking the easy stuff frees up the folks doing full manuals and tutorials and such.

Course, my fav is the answers like "My mod "Finding your Admin log-in page" is available for 10 dollars..."

<giggles>