I agree with many of folks here, in regards to keeping the doors open to everyone otherwise, IAP will get the same fate as many other forums that started with the best of intentions and then became a private club with little room and or appreciation to new members so, lets be very careful here, please...!
Yes, one can get a little tired of answering the same questions all of the time however, one has to remember and realize that, we ALL been there, we ALL asked the same questions too, we All went to a new forum looking for a answer, expecting a pleasant welcoming and someone that could help out, mano to mano, without even considering any search for matching words, as that is the most common results you get so, this new person has a specific question/problem/issue, he/she may be aware that, others may have had the same troubles and they got through it, how...??? they don't really know but the first though is going to a "group" of people that deals with the area on interest and ask a direct question...!
That person deserves to have a specific answer to his/hers specific question, regardless of how many times others have asked it, period..!
The older members (not aged related) may reach a time where they feel that they have done their part in doing all the answering and things start to get a little boring to them, in that respect that, is understandable and some how justifiable, I have myself been in that situation more than once however, I wait for the next generation, the ones that asked those questions and I answered, to come forwards and do their bit on that issue, is like the common "paying forwards" pen blanks offers, same thing and only if no one replied within 24 to 48 hours, I come forwards and provided the answers requested (if I can...!), we re-tribute what once we received and that is what I call true membership participation and passing on...!
There are the "suckers" those that only are interested in suck everyone's brains for information, with absolutely no intention of being a good sport, a good Samaritan and particularly, give something back from where he got so much, those are and will always be there however, their greediness frequently leaves nasty biting teeth marks in the tit that fed them so, they are easily spotted and given marching orders, quick smart so, this is all part of the complexity of being part of a web community, or any group of people for that matter, we simply live and let live, or..., we should..!
I can honestly say that, I always had problems dealing with libraries and searches, never seem to have the right "words" to get the right results and I simply prefer to deal with face to face type communication. Is nice to know that, you are asking a question and that someone, somewhere is taking the time to give you a little attention and try to help you out, that is what makes me and wanting to, be part of a place just as IAP so, whatever you do, do not destroy that, we would be destroying IAP, period...!
There should be "Welcoming" designated members in rotation type to make new people feel welcome, there should be a designate group in rotation style to come forwards every time a common question is asked they will have on they arsenal, a number of direct links and recommendations to where this person can read/see what has been said/shown on that same issue however, that IAP designated member(s), will start the communication and reflect on the question asked, instead of send these people into a sticky cob-web, and you are not a spider...!
I put my money where my mouth is, and I will continue to give the new comers plenty to ready and see, with my replies, until I see some other system implemented to deal with this exact issue that in essence, is what started all these forums, all over the world...!
Cheers
George