Perhaps it might be better to answer the question directly but also offer as an alternate the question of "are you sure you want to do it this way" and then give some explanation as to why it would be better to use a different method for doing something. As you point out "I also think that's an added bonus -- not only does the OP get feedback about the technical issue they have raised, they also hear about related matters." I know for myself, I might read a post and the responses even though the main topic is one that I have little use for because there might be something I can learn from the whole dialog.