This is because nubes get this wacky idea that they think they're inventing something new and if they post the details it's going to be stolen.
News flash.... Not probable!
It often seems like that to me too. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume there are other reasons.
I think it's partly because people (males, especially) like to think that they should be able to figure things out by themselves. Asking for help is seen as weakness, and they think they're just stuck on one small aspect of the project, so they think that by limiting the scope of the question, they are asking only for a small amount of help on one specific issue.
Also, when you're just starting out, it's impossible to know what information is important and what isn't. It's one of those "don't know that you don't know" things. So people really don't know what information will be important to us, and what won't. The only answer I see here is to ask them to tell us EVERYTHING they can about the project. But even if you ask, they still don't.
People also tend to make a general unconscious assumption that all the experiences they've been through so far with their project are somehow magically shared with everyone else who reads their post. So everyone who reads their post automatically has the full context of the project. I often see people say "I've already tried that" in response to a suggestion, as if they're insulted, but they didn't say that they had tried it, so how is anyone else to know?
I think there should be a posting that we can refer questioners to, that covers these issues and explains how to take a step back from your project and see it from another person's point of view. Imagine you're introducing a new person to your project for the first time. What background information do they need to know in order to understand what you're doing? What specific components are you using or considering? Can you link to data sheets? Can you upload schematics? Even for a simple question they can give us clues to how you're thinking. Can you upload photos? Even of a breadboard setup? What prior experience do you have in each of the fields that are relevant? What are the project's circumstances? (who is the job for, what's the financial situation, is there a deadline, etc). Are there any special requirements or restrictions? What have you tried? What possibilities have you considered but eliminated, and for what reasons? What is the ultimate aim of the project?
Another thing that irritates me is when I post a lot of questions, and the OP only answers one, or doesn't answer any of them. I ask questions to try to clarify my understanding of what they're trying to do, and make sure I haven't made any wrong assumptions. I don't ask them because I like to type question marks. I really wish people would put more effort into their communications. It's difficult enough trying to solve problems remotely with mainly just a text connection.
