I think is par for the course. I'll give you an example. I was just added to a team that has been working on a project for about 10 months. These people speak another "language" full of terminology I was not familiar with. I never expected anyone to come to me with a list of explanations or go back to using plain language to talk shop. I had to go back and research, read past meeting notes, look for answers, and occasionally ask if I did not understand something. That is what you do, you try to catch up.
As a newcomer here or anywhere else for that matter, you have to be willing to put a little effort and familiarize (or re familiarize) yourself with what's going on. The forum has a life of its own and evolves accordingly. Feeling lost comes with it. It has happened to me too.
We'll just agree on disagreeing.
ETA: I am not sure where the preponderance of the word cliquish is coming from, but I am starting to take offense. I think the regulars, including myself, put a lot of time and effort to the forum because we love to talk shop AND we want to continue to build the friendships we developed here. Calling the forum " cliquish" is calling us " cliquish". I find that pretty hurtful.
ETA2: I agree with you, the voluntary nature of our participation here is what makes all of these perceived how to's feel like work... to me...and no, I would do exactly the same thing, catch up, if this was a leisure situation.
I guess we all could take the time to write things up.
