Jim, I wish I knew the answer. It's true that some people ask the simplest questions that some of us see and think, WHY didn't they just google their question? In many cases, we know the answer is bound to be there in multiple and easily accessed sites.

But how do we know the circumstances? Is this a person new to computers - they do still exist, you know. Is English the native language of the requester - if not, this could be beyond their skills. What about that rare and elusive quest that sends even the best of us to the edges of our knowledge and even beyond. I know I have spent hours looking up information in my books and internet searches and still failed to come up with a satisfactory answer. Sometimes I hit it lucky and have the satisfaction of giving the information asked for and adding to my own knowledge at the same time.

I usually respond in one of three ways. If it is something close to my areas of interest and knowledge, then I will do what I can to help without recrimination or complaint.

If it's something I know little or nothing about (there's a lot of that going around) then I may make a feeble stab at it, then wait for someone else to come by with the correct response. I may just reassure the person that yes, someone here likely knows, and they should just give them time to find the key to what is wanted.

The third way, of course, is to realize that the question is completely beyond my abilities and interests and just let it go.

I am running short of time right now, but there is a thread that took YEARS to resolve, but is now one of the most satisfying threads that I know of. I will post it later.

At any rate, I do agree wholeheartedly with your premise. I hope all of us can take it to heart and do even a fraction of what you do.

Gotta go. No ti;me even to check my post.