If anyone cares, here's my opinion. The HS stuff is fine...its a community, after all. But when a noobie shows up with question, I think it would be cool if he got a few answers before we all started in with the joking around.
I think its partly about being respectful, but even more about keeping the forum alive. Advertizers and sponsors want access to eyeballs. Most of us know about these sponsors and advertizers...we can call Bailey's anytime. Bailey's wants access to the new guys, guys who might not know whats out there.
So when the noobie doesn't get his answer, maybe he never comes back, never clicks the link to Sawdoc or ChainsawR, and those guys stop seeing the need to support the forum.
Its easy to say "use the search", but if it comes across like "leave us alone", what does arbo-site gain? WE're guests here...not owners, and if the owner can't make it pay, the owner probably won't keep it open.
I've never seen a search feature yet that works well when the searcher doesn't even know what to call whatever it is he's looking for. Even when you do, sometimes you'll wade through thousands of posts in dozens of threads before you find what you want...if you don't give up and say "to H-e-l-l with it".
So my advice would be to answer the noob, then make another post teasing your online buds.