Hi Discipulus, I made a mistake in the title of my OP -- should not have used "clueless newbs" because it includes all kinds of ... well, clueless newbs, and you are right that in many cases there is no reason not to show code that directly provides what the seeker wants. I should have instead said in the title something about the homework element the post was really about, and/or the lack of work put in. Thanks.