This is a programming question/answer site. If you have a programming question, ask away. I tend to use the following guidelines for answering:
If the question is about something I
know or am interested in, I will read
it.
If the question indicates similar
'related' questions, I will check
them out to see if it is more useful
to answer with a link to that similar
question. For your question, I would suggest that you read this similar question.
If it is a really good question, I'll
upvote it.
If it is a question to which I know
the answer, I will try to help with
an answer.
If somebody has already given an
answer that I think is helpful, I
will upvote that answer.
If somebody has already given an
answer that I think is right but
could use some clarification, I will
upvote that answer with a comment.
If somebody has given an answer that
doesn't really help, I will ignore
it.
If somebody has given an answer that
is dangerously wrong, I will downvote
it with a comment. (I wish that downvotes required a comment but that's an issue for uservoice)
There will always be people that think that the only questions worth asking are ones that have never been asked before and these are the type of people that will downvote questions just because they don't like them or think you should have worked harder before asking them.
This site is only as good as the community that supports it. This means a couple of things. You will usually get back what you put in and you will benefit the most if you match the majority of the community mindset. Currently, I believe the SO majority mindset is mature and most will try to be helpful no matter how obvious an answer might be or how easy the answer may have been to find elsewhere.
I think questions deserve answers but it is undeniably true that the quality of the question will dictate the quality of the answer in most cases.
This sort of question is good for the community to discuss. It will help new members become useful contributors more quickly. It won't however put an end to 'obvious' or 'lazy' questions from those that are just looking for answers.. now.. and have no interest in becoming a part of the community. I think these are great opportunities for new members to practice their art.
If a question isn't worth your time to answer then don't answer it and let somebody that wants to, answer it or let it whither in no-vote obscurity :) Please, save your downvotes for non-programming questions and dangerously wrong answers.