Okie- don't be silent , we all learn from each other. Let me see of I can give some reasons why I answer :lol:
Sometimes a person starts out with Hello I am new here and I have a question- well then we say Hello to welcome them to the group , don't want the person to think we are not interested in new members, rude or cliquish.
I have answered sorry I don't know - that way it goes on my "watched" list so hopefully when the question is answered I can find out for myself.
Many members don't understand all the numbers and what not next to topics on your "My topics" page so if there are no replies they might think no one cares or sees the topic when in fact we care / have seen it , just don't have the answer, this is our way of letting them know, we have seen the question , just can't help them .