Well, that would be hard to say, sir. They're each outstanding in their own way.
-- Greg Marmalard, Animal House

Well, first and foremost, your place in any online community will vary, depending on your experience, your growth, and your ideas. Do not worry if someone else posts a more complete answer later, for that give you an opportunity learn more yourself. As an example, I was once a database programmer in a certain (local) database product for about about five years. My next job was in support for another, completely different database product. During the next thirteen months, I learned more about the new product than I'd learned about my earlier forté in five years. Why? Because in trying to answer (often) common questions, I learned idiosyncracies about the new product and different ways to do things. My answers were sometimes right and helpful and they were wrong at others. Still, in trying to solve the specific problem at hand, there was more to learn.

Given the richness of Perl, the innumerable ways people try to use it, and the variations of each problem, each question and each answer to a question can potentially highlight variations and side effects of different ways to do things. This is, I think, one of the really cool things about the Perl community's devotion to TIMTOWTDI.

So I wouldn't say your answers are never needed. You may prod someone else to follow-up with more details. That in itself makes your post worthwhile, IMHO.

Also, who's to say your answers aren't helpful? Even if they're not now, they may eventually become helpful. I've participated in a certain online community off and on for more than ten years now and I can definitely say that my ideas, answers, and knowledge of the product that community supports has changed and improved. So, while I'm answering some questions nearly the same way today that I did in the beginning, my answers are better than they used to be. Expect growth.

Finally, keep in mind that we're all using evolving software. Idioms change as new versions, modules, and ideas appear. Sometimes, it's well worth bringing up a previously discussed topic, especially if you have something new to add to the discussion. You should definitely see if a topic or question has been discussed previously, but don't be afraid to add to the conversation.

[R]emember, no matter where you go, there you are.
-- Buckaroo Banzai, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension

--f