Just want to add another angle. I sometimes post a question not necessarily because I don't know how to do it at all, but to find out what the geniuses will do it. I've been amazed at the different solutions people come up, and learn much more that way.

One thing I think is important is that the posters should try to avoid wasting people's time, not in posting a "trivial" question, but in posting a less thought through question, especially not "here's a mess I have, figure out both the question and answer for me." This is not to say there are no vague questions, one can usually tell the difference.

At work, when I have a question, I usually just yell across the cubicles, instead of researching first, because I find that people who do know actually know more than just the answer itself. I'd like to do the same thing here, but am aware of the value of people's time. So it's a balance.