The replies I saw are very similar to what I would have posted.

With regards to politeness ... I tend to fall into the merlyn/Abigail-II camp. I'll be polite the first time I come across your question, but I expect you to help yourself. If you reply back with something like I tried it and it failed! as the whole of your response or if you repeat the question with a minor variation the next day ... let's just say that my gloves aren't very padded at the best of times. I don't suffer fools gladly, as the saying goes. Perl is a language of hackers, and hackers expect other hackers to actually try. Most of us here have done everything but hack the source (and many have done that, too!). We have acquired our knowledge the old-fashioned way - we have earned it. It's my fish, damnit. Go get your own! I'll show you how, but the one I've got is still my fish.

As for community ... PM is the only website I go to on a daily basis other than my news source of choice. I have friends here closer than some IRL. Heck, I even have a Go game going right now. :-) (It's on my scratchpad if anyone cares to look.)

I understand I've kinda devolved into a rant somewhat unrelated to the OP, but I think it's related. Somehow. *shrugs*