I try to avoid asking questions if I think I know where the answer is. That way I hopefully avoid RTFM (read the fing manual) postings. (Note: to me the FMs are the Camel and Lhama books, not man perl)

However, I do not also do an exhaustive online search. Obviously there is no piece of Perl wisdom which is exclusively available from perlmonks.org. If we never asked questions where the answers existed elsewhere then Seekers of Perl Wisdom might have to shut down for lack of activity.

If you had gone ahead and asked the question that was on your mind, then perhaps you would have come across some additional insight that was not included in the answer that you found elswhere.

So I say, as long as you make a good faith effort to avoid RTFM postings you should ask away.