[wvenable]

Make it possible for me to contribute. I'm a busy experienced software developer and I can't contribute anything to Stack Overflow because I haven't done enough piddly bullshit elsewhere to be able to upvote an answer or provide my own. It's a vicious cycle of non-participation.

[jaydles]

I work at SO, and we couldn't agree more. This is one reason we're so excited about our upcoming launch of [Documentation](http://meta.stackoverflow.com/questions/303865/warlords-of-d...). We think that together with developers like you, we can do for docs what the last generation kicked off for Q&A.

To your point: Today, many of the questions devs encounter are already covered, and covered pretty well on SO Q&A. This is obviously good for devs looking for solutions. But combined with the fact that most new questions - that haven't been asked before - are answered quickly,it's hard for users trying to get involved and contribute. That'll all change with Docs.

There will be tons of need for contributions, plus the system has more checks and peer support baked in, so it'll be easier to know your contribution will help, even if you're not sure it's complete, etc. We're really excited about how Docs will let more devs like you who want to pitch in be a part of it. I hope you'll give it a try.

[wvenable]

I have actually found questions with no answer that I eventually found the answer for myself (either from another site, trial and error, luck, or frightening insight). I have zero ability to add an answer for these tough problems.

The easy questions get answered quickly because it's a game. I don't play that game, I work for a living. I have the knowledge to contribute the long tail value of SO if I was able but I am not. I'm not sure there's a solution but that's the gripe I have.

[ruraljuror]

Not sure I understand what you mean "zero ability to add an answer." Why can't you answer the question that does not already have an answer? Or ask the question yourself and then answer it yourself?

[wvenable]

I don't have enough "karma" to do anything useful on Stackoverflow. Apparently I have to do, as I said, a bunch of piddly bullshit things to earn enough to actually add useful content to the site.

I understand why, it's a spam prevention method, but it also keeps me from contributing.

[reitanqild]

You somewhat ironically IMO need more rep to answer a question than to ask one.

[ruraljuror]

I just don't understand why you and the op think this. Here is a link to what you get with your first point of rep.

http://stackoverflow.com/help/privileges/create-posts

Checking now, it seems you can answer without even logging in.

[reitanqild]

Ok, I'm sorry, I was wrong.

Now I am confused as well.

[brudgers]

While Jon Skeet's C# might not need much help, there are lots of topics on StackOverflow that could benefit from the interest of experienced developers...or even less experienced ones.