@EEAA I think the on-topic page serverfault.com/help/on-topic needs to be updated. I did read it before posting my question, and I think you should read it too. My question wasn't open ended. It wasn't "general discussion." It wasn't opinion based. It was off topic, because it wasn't a problem that needed to be solved. The on-topic section makes no mention of this particular caveat. And for the record MDMarra did a fine job of answering my question above. Had things gone differently, MDMarra's answer would likely have a green check mark next to it.

could have actually attempted to verify the validity of his question before asking it. Maybe this information that is so universally obvious to an insider isn't as ubiquitous as you perceive. If that is the case you should be my loudest supporter in asking that this detail be more widely published on the site. Would not better communication help to reduce the frequency of both our frustrations?

I suspect (and site analysis could confirm) that the about page gets many less hits than the on-topic page. In any case, the on-topic page should include some text illustrating the point that has been repeated here. furthermore, given how painfully frustrating it is for everyone here to deal with a "daily deluge of crappy off topic questions asked by people who have completely missed every opportunity to familiarise themselves with our topicality and scope." Maybe you could consider that your perspective isn't the only one. Perhaps it is possible that one of these annoying people ...

The about page is virtually hidden in comparison to the many resources provided by the site to help an asker determine if his question is appropriate or not. The about page is a tiny text only link hidden in the footer section of the main page. By contrast, if you click Ask A Question, the sidebar reads: Review our list of allowed topics. We prefer questions that can be answered, not just discussed. The "list of allowed topics" is a link that takes you to the Help Page for Asking. It lists what is on-topic and what is off-topic. serverfault.com/help/on-topic

@MDMarra Someone should add some text to this affect in the on-topic section. Also, adding some text illuminating this point on the Ask A Question page would go a long way to reducing the frequency of these problems, and improve the experience of SE users.

@MDMarra Can you provide a link, because Ctrl-F for your text is bringing up nothing on the page: serverfault.com/help/on-topic

@MDMarra I'm not so egocentirc as to believe that I am perfect, but how many thousands of people have to make the claims I've made today, before somebody considers that perhaps SE can improve in some small way to make a difference?

@MDMarra I have just re-read the "About" page, and I am still unable to identify the section that details why I shouldn't have asked the Windows Server question on Server Fault. The best explanation was provided by #MarkHenderson " The basic litmus test is "is it a real problem? Does it need solving?" This is not a real problem. " Perhaps the About page should be updated to include something so concisely worded. My "question" was intended to give some insight into the feelings generated by this behavior. Surely having spent enough time to garner 75k rep, you have seen this behavior ...

@EEAA I understand the distinction, but I don't know that it is all that meaningful. I did in fact read the about page before posting my question. The topic of my question is not covered by the "don't ask" section, and it is covered by the first bullet-point of the "do ask." It might be obvious to an insider that my question is a bad question, but it is not always obvious to the person asking.

@MDMarra This question in meta is another great example. This question is not off topic. It directly relates to two of the bullet points in the off-topic boiler plate, yet it has been put on-hold. I can only speculate as to why, but my best guess is to silence the voice of dissent.

@MDMarra The problem I wanted to illuminate is most perfectly demonstrated by the one "answer" below. The insider has such vitriol for the outsider. I just can't understand where it comes from, and I've observed the problem on many SE sites. I stopped participating on ESS for this very reason.

@MDMarra Let us take it as given that I am at fault, that I asked a bad question. Is it appropriate to close an off=topic question with any tag other than off-topic? Or does it perhaps illicit this sort of response when we close a question with an obviously wrong reason stated? I don't know why others participate in SE, but I know why I do. I participate to help people. For this reason, you can often find my answers as comments to closed or on hold questions. If I don't know the answer, I'll at least try to point the asker in the right direction.

@HopelessN00b Its only a waste of time because you are unwilling to think about the problem from any perspective but your own. So be it.

Do you realise just how frustrating it is to have people not read the text provided.... I read the text. It was my inability to understand said "boiler plate text" that led me to post here.

Do you realise just how frustrating it is to then have them come to meta.... You're being presented an opportunity to grow as a community, and you're using it as a circle jerk instead. Your choice.

Do you realise how frustrating it is to have a daily deluge of crappy.... You are an insider and so you act and think like an insider, with vitriol for the perceived outsider. This is the problem.

It is unfortunate that your reply is directed at me. The discussion you should be having is with your comrades here. With that said, I will do you the service of responding anyhow.