The line is pretty easy I think: if you don't feel like answering patiently and politely... then don't answer. At least that's what I do!

I think that's the policy of most people here: for most "easy" questions people with a good (but not great) knowledge of Perl are more than happy to answer (and grap the xp's ;--). If they post an incorrect answer, then it is time for people with a better grasp of the problem to step in and give a more authoritative advice (or to refer them to a WT column {grin}).

It makes everybody happy, and both the beginner asking the first question and the not-so-beginner who answered incorrectly will gain knowledge from the thread.

The beauty of the Monastery is that it breeds legions of monks who want to help people. And when they are tired of chanting the same mantra over and over again another monk just takes it place (OK, maybe I am getting a little carried away with the legions and all here, but you get the idea ;--)