ekhunter... My thoughts exactly, and I cannot agree more.
There are pages upon pages of valuable information contained here, and the other forums as well. And, as long as you have access to the Internet, not one bit of it costs a cent to read.
We all started as noobies at one point. We all did our fair share of reading, asking questions, and also contributing to the forum. I have no problem helping people with questions, and whatever else I can provide (I think I even helped you out, crystal cranium, with a movement, sent to you free of charge). But people also need to take the initiative and put it upon themselves to at least make an effort to research their interests (and not expect an answer handed to them on a silver platter). After all... This is also what being a forum is all about, and why we have things like the Photo Gallery, Dealer Review, archives of history and so forth, to provide information on who carries what product, the kind of experiences we've all had, etc.
As someone who has been around for a while (not nearly as long as some of the veterans), I had to start somewhere as well. I had to do my own research on things. I had to establish my sources for parts, and I had to learn a lot of the things that I know now the expensive and hard way (sometimes this is the only way for someone like me to learn).
Now, this is not aimed at the original poster... As I'm really just bantering on... And perhaps venting a little, as I just emptied out my PM Inbox not so long ago, consisting of message after message of questions asking for help on things. Most of it is stuff that I am glad to help on; but a lot of PMs also get rather demanding with questions, inquiries for parts (I am not a dealer), who do I get this from, who do I get that from, sell me this, sell me that etc. And to make matters worse, Some will even go so far as to send me a follow up PM just a few hours later asking if I got the last one, and so on and so forth. So... Yeah, it's a little frustrating. Don't mean to take it out on anyone... And this is not aimed at anyone directly. Just a vent.
To close... I really don't mind helping people out. If you have a question, I'll do my bst to answer. But, if you get demanding... Or if you feel that I'm not answering your question fast enough... Please don't expect a response.