I think i'll try to take you up on your challenge that you stated...

Good, for only by challenging yourself will you stretch your knowledge and improve your skills. You cannot learn if you do not try.

but I'm really not that great of a hardcore Perl programmer, and would feel awkward to write tutorials when I am still a beginner at Perl!! :)

I think if you scratch the surface of many of the "more experienced" monks, I believe you'll find many who feel their Perl skills could be bettered. That's why they hang out: to learn, to help where possible, and to find new ways of doing things.

Also, I have found that the best way to learn something is to try to teach it to others. This is especially true when you're teaching in a classroom setting, for your students will ask questions not in the courseware. Granted, the Monastery is not a traditional classroom, you will get feedback to your efforts. That's what makes the place such a great proving ground. If you are willing to put your code to the test, your Monasterial collegues will provide honest feedback and point out alternate ways of doing things.

If you're not up to doing a tutorial, then try creating demonstration code based on answers you see in those threads you mentioned, the ones that describe a topic in detail. Create a working example of the solution. It doesn't need to be complex; it only needs to be enough to illustrate the point you have in mind. (Be sure that you attribute appropriately when you post your results, if only out of courtesy.)

If you're not sure what the point is, then experiment with the code that's offered and see what you can learn.

As the old joke cliche goes: "Wisdom comes from experience. Experience comes from making mistakes and from taking chances."

Again, no risk...no reward.

...that's the sort of thing that more advanced users such as yourself scoff at.

While I can't speak for everyone, I rarely scoff. Sure, I'll moderate trolls, provide as constructive feedback as I can muster, and frequently challenge you to go another step. However, it's done in an attempt to help you find your next step on the path to enlightenment. Constructive feedback is a good thing, but it's up to you to discover how, or even if, it helps.

If I came across otherwise, I apologize.

I know many of the other, more experienced, members of our community participate provide their feedback with the same or similar ideas in mind. Frankly, it's one of the reasons I stick around.

--f