I think it is conceptually important to distinguish between newbies and trolls.

I personally find the "search" response to be inappropriate in almost *every* circumstance. I have been here longer than just about anyone else (I just noticed that I have the same "Join Date" as Randy, so I guess that confims "longer than just about anyone else"), and I generally don't use search. Now, because I have been here so long, I think I know many of the answers to the basic questions. But on the occasions when I do use search I don't find it to be 100% effective, and if you don't know the right "key" words, your chances of finding the information you want are substantially lower. People who don't like stupid newbie questions shouldn't answer stupid newbie questions, IMO. Saying "Use 'search'" takes *more* time and requires me to read a longer thread before I see whether there is a real answer.

On the other hand we have the trolls/repeat posters. I personally think that the instance of trolls is lower than what it might appear from some members comments. Are there troll postings? Yes. But I see a lot of other postings which are labeled as "troll" because a certain group of loyalists in a certain forum don't appreciate what they perceive as "attacks." But, in some circumstances, it is my opinion that they are potentially legitimate complaints. And even if the OP is a troll, the discussion which follows can actually have substantial value and interest.

By the way, that is an important concept. Did I mention that one of the reasons I look at this board several times a day, for several years, is because I find it interesting? Do I want substantive info? Sure. But I don't come here several times a day expecting to find new facts every time. Many of my visits are in the hopes that I will be entertained or challenged or excited by something dealing with one of my favorite subjects - travel.