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Reply with an URL, if you've already written it or have it handy.

That's what I usually do. I have them memorised by now. It's just frustrating to put so much effort towards documenting something, and have someone casually expect you to type words into a search box for them.

This extends to communities where the answer has already been provided several times.

We know it happens, and will unfortunately continue to. Total noobs often don't even know where they are. However, I've come to the conclusion that it takes more energy on the expert's part to complain, rather than simply paste the URL.

I suppose the only thing that would be less effort would be to delete such questions. Perhaps a "post deleted for lack of effort (+ FAQ URL)", button. Would be highly efficient, but feels rather stern to me.

Better yet, reply with a link to a google search

That's just classic, lazy passive-aggression.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com