<p>A quick and unsystematic look through my own responses suggest that lately (though not previously) maybe a third of the answers I give are to a question where no answer is ever accepted.  These seem to be questions where the OP is beginner with low reputation asking a practical, more research design-oriented question. Unlike the @drnexus's experts, I actually like to answer these questions because I get the feeling that a good answer can really change the OP's understanding of something for the better.  </p>

<p>However, while there is sometimes discussion under the question, or even thanks, there is often complete silence.  This suggests that some proportion of posters don't understand how the site works and/or have an approach so instrumental as to lose interest immediately after answers have been provided.  I suppose this is the downside of folk asking very 'practical' questions.</p>
