I think what sling-shot posted is very pertinent, but this is a very small Forum and volunteers are hard to find as there's a limited amount of advanced users, it seems.
About the degree of Help, and the Degree of let them find out for themselves situation: All I can say is each situation is different.
If the information is available, and current, + searchable in the contex of the Version of PCLinuxOS we are using, it should simply be told to the "New Comer" that such info is available, in a kind manner.
If as a helper you feel you're spending too much time holding someone's hand, you should say so.
A 'Reasonable' attitude should be normal, otherwise no point having a Forum. That's how I've felt using most open Forums over the years. If it's unhelpful, you put it down to being an inferior Forum, and leave.
As this is the support Forum for PCLinuxOS, that's what reasonable people come here for, whether it be Searching, or asking a question.
There are of course idiots who like to ask silly questions.
As I understand information about PCLOS is specific to this Forum. No use going to other Distro Forums to ask for help.
The Programs used in PCLinucOS, installed by the user; have if you're lucky a help manual, or a Forum, if you run into problems. If not seems reasonable to post for help, being an open Forum.
Polite notice to all users **PCLinuxOS Usage Rules ** Please Read (Read 7568 times) With there being a sticky thread, and introduction here, it might be a good idea that when someone joins the forum they are first directed to that post, and agree to use the Forum as specified.
I can't remember what the TOS are, but if there is a problem with "New Comers" maybe the 'Agreement' that the user ticks when registering should be ammended with points that are causing Moderators problems.