Perhaps we should all follow the legendary
@BlueWizard - have you ever seen the length of his posts? The detail is staggering, but I think he enjoys doing all this work for people regardless of whether they follow his advice or not.
Having been (casually) in the Audio Game for Decades, I've learned a few things.
1.) Answer the Question - Too many people ramble on about their favorite this or that completely ignoring the question that was actually asked. Yes, it is OK to offer alternatives. For example, if someone wants a very basic 5.1 System, I might point out the virtues of a 2.0 System, and in cases of someone wanting a Stereo, under the right circumstance, it might be right to suggest an AV Receiver.
Others simple leave 10 - 15 word response which rarely to never address the complexity of the Question.
2. )To the Original Poster, Answer the Questions - Nothing will derail a discussion like NO RESPONSE from the Original Poster. Don't post then abandon the post because it is too much work to answer the questions being asked by Responders. If we ask the OP questions, it is because the Answers to those question will help us help the Original Poster. If the Orignal Poster can't be bothered to respond, why should we.
3.) As a Responder, don't be more invested than the Original Poster - Years ago I had connections to many Hi-Fi wholesalers, and could get people deep discounts on Brand Name Audio Equipment. People would come to me for advise, I would research it and give them a range of options, and they would be uninterested. I learn, that it is pointless for me to spend more time and effort than the Buyer is willing to spend. So, I started scaling back my efforts. There is no need for me to spin my wheels and burn myself out for someone who isn't that interested.
4.) Don't take it Personal - My job as a responder is not to tell people what they should do but rather tell them What can be done and why. But I'm not them, they have their own ideas, preferences and opinions. I'm happy with whatever they decide. I don't take it as them rejecting me or my advise. I'm sure they very much took my advise in but make their decision based on their Priorities.
5.) Not everyone is on the Same Level as You - Sometimes we get questions, the answer to which is painfully obvious to any who knows anything. But likely the Poster is asking because he really doesn't know. Now he could search for an answer on the Internet, but the hinges on being able to ask the question in simply concise terms. It is pretty hard to write 3 or 4 paragraphs in a Google Search and expect a direct helpful response. Audio Questions require some explanation of circumstances and budget. Being able to search means knowing what to search for, and many new people to audio aren't able to frame it that concisely. So, better to offer an explanation to people with more experience, and carry on an ever more refined Dialog.
If someone asks a rookie or simplistic question, it is probably because they are a rookie. And expert though you may be, you were once a Rookie yourself. So, be patient.
6.) It's complex - In Audio, the most seemingly simple question is actually pretty complex. Many factors need to be consider, and we will usually ask those questions in follow up -
Room Size, Budget, Requirement, Preferences, Priorities, and many other things. Again when those question are asked, the answers help us help you. We are not just spinning our wheels, we really need to know. And our responses can be long and drawn out, but we are relaying information you need in order to be able to make an informed decision. If you ask a question - TL;DR - isn't going to cut it.
Myself, fully realizing the my Posts can reach Epic Length, I try to write in short easy to read paragraphs. That way even if you don't read word-for-word, just skimming the short paragraphs can give you a decent overview.
7.) The only Stupid Question is a Question that was never asked - And this works both ways Ask away, and we will do our best to answer. And when we the Responders ask a question back, it is because knowing the answer really will help us help you.
8.) Opinions - everybody's got one. Nothing you hear in person, on the Internet, in the Store, or from Experts and Reviewers is anything other than an Opinion. No one in Audio has a Right to consider their personal opinion to be absolute Gospel. Now we expect some of those opinions to be based on knowledge and experience, so we can lend them some value, but in the end, they are just opinions.
For what it is worth.
Steve/Bluewizard