Just recently I have felt that the rules tags get thrown out there a little early to often. There are people who ask for code, and then there are people who ask for help.

For example if the question is worded: Give me codes for GCD Algorithm!

well we can't help. But if the question is: How does one use the switch statement?

There is no harm in offering a link or talking about the syntax of the switch statement, covering some of the common pit falls, some of the common usages etc. (heck might as well write a tutorial and link that).

Myself, I am more likely to ask a direct "how to" type question.

Also while some people want the code to a homework question, others just want a little push in the right direction. You don't have to give people code to help them see a path to writing their own.

An example "How can I use the mouse in a C program?" -- probably not a HW question, definitely not a question where you can say "show us some code first" -- because if you don't know how to proceed you can't even get started. But last time I saw this question that was the response. Nice friendly link or two would have been 1000% more helpful.

I get very frustrated when I see questions that I had when I was coming up the ranks with the first response a refusal to help. Questions that require specialized knowledge. Questions that touch upon esoteric topics. Questions that just can't be attempted without some foothold somewhere outside of the questioners sphere -- These topics get me frustrated when the first response is the rules post.

Generally a regular poster will eventually step in an offer a couple of lines of hope, but by then there is a good chance the bad impression of DIC has already been established.

I think these rules tags are being over used just a tad.

I used them quite a bit when i should have posted something more helpful. I'm personally cutting back. In regards to the mouse question, I thought my answer on where to put it was helpful, but it turns out the person did not even have a winAPI program set up correctly to implement said mouse clicks.

Personal discretion I suppose, but i will not be using the tags as frequently.

Didn't meat to hit a nerve there KYA -- that was not the post I was talking about. That was another story all together.

I wasn't angry, if that was conveyed in my above post, I apologize.