>>I mean, nobody questions anyone's motives - you wouldn't be doing any of it if it wasn't required for something. It's just that if we don't have a better hammer for the nail, with some extra background knowledge, we may be able to suggest screws, or bolts, or glue, or soldering, or welding...
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>Well, I didnt' mean exactly what I wrote. I do understand why the question might need to be asked sometimes, but I guess I just feel it's better to ask - as you mentioned - as part of an answer. To not attempt an answer and to only ask the question kind of irritates me.

Sure - that's why I ask The Question only after at least an honest attempt to solve the problem as given. It would irritate me as well.