[zwieback]

Beginner was not meant derogatory, I just meant that as the phase of starting to learn something. The types of questions are different at that stage. Also, after learning a few different languages or libraries it's probably easier to ask questions that don't get moderated out even if someone is a beginner in that new language. I don't know much Java but a lot of C# and C++ so I can probably ask a Java question that doesn't displease attention of overzealous moderators.

Your point about how SO has changed is good, the early days definitely felt different but making the huge amount of questions usable does call for a slightly different approach.

Glad to hear some high-rep users are trying to balance out the modding behavior, thanks for that.