I generally "know" by the posting style the poster I am dealing with. I choose to answer to a point or sometimes I can't be bothered on the basis that I can point my skills elsewhere.
On the one hand it is damned annoying that some posters post variations on a theme of the same question time and time again; on the other hand, the scenario/answers might be useful to new posters.
However, more often than not I don't post these days because I am sick of my goodwill being abused. I give my time and knowledge freely, so it's actually damned annoying that SOME people think it is funny to keep posting the same type of question over and over. There are some knowledgeable and sensible posters in law who give their time to help so I can't help thinking that the "time wasters" and "tyre kickers" are just ruining it for the genuine ones.
I'd really like a post from one of the regular posters who post the same question over and over as to why they do it and what they think they are gaining......... Over to you Brimoan.....