perlmeditation BrowserUk <p>That is, does the statement, <p><blockquote>I have an idea that might be of use to you in solving your problem, but I am unsure of enough of the detail to offer an implementation or even to know if the idea has any real possibility of working.</blockquote> <p>have any merit either to the OP of the problem, or to perlmonks as a whole? <p>Occasionally, I see a question here, that despite being beyond my knowledge base (eg. unix), I think I see a possibility for an easier or better solution than those already presented. I am unable to supply a tested answer, and am not in a position to know if the idea has merit in the target environment as there are inevitably sufficient differences in implementation details cross-systems, even when the concepts themselves are generic. <p>What should I do? <ol type='A'><li>Post my germ of an idea with as much detail as I can muster in the hope that the OP or others will be able to expand it to fruition or discount it based on their greater experience/knowledge? </li><li>Only post if I can do sufficient research via the web or elsewhere to allow me to prove the idea could work. </li><li>Only post it if I can somehow muster enough research material to piece together a plausible (but obviously untested) implementation of the idea. </li><li>Keep my dumb ideas to myself? </li></ol> <p><code>A[ ] B[ ] C[ ] D[ ]? </code> <p>Cut&paste, check a box as an answer will do, if discussion would be too difficult. Anonymonk can answer as many times as s/he likes. <p>Personally, if I am really stuck on a problem--stuck enough that I feel the need to post a question here or elsewhere--whilst I am more than happy to receive a fully authorative, worked solution. In it's absence, I am also happy to receive a speculative possibility for one. Although these can lead me to expend effort that is notionally wasted, if the idea doesn't pan out, I still value it because sometimes the fresh perspective/approach to a solution can cause me to think different and arrive at a solution that I might otherwise never have thought of. Besides, sometimes they pan out and I'm a happy bunny. <p>Am I alone in thinking this way? <p>If this prompts enough people to answer, for me to draw a consensus or majority community opinion, I will base my future action when these speculative ideas pop into my head on that, explicit or perceived, consensus. <hr> <font size=1> <p>Examine what is said, not who speaks.</p> <p align="right"><i>The 7th Rule of perl club is -- pearl clubs are easily damaged. Use a diamond club instead.</i></p></font>