Actually, the most useful search is to click on the Search drop down menu on the right and select Advanced Search. But, again, my problem tends to be figuring out which results are relevant.

For example, a basic n00b question - how should I shut my Nxxx down? There are literally hundreds of posts on multiple threads which address this. Unfortunately, they don't agree and the many of the threads seem to have degenerated into religious wars. What I have never seen is someone with a knowledge of Maemo/Linux and any of the Nxxx device internals post test results showing how rapidly the battery drains under various conditions versus how much it drains shutting down and powering up. It's probably there somewhere but after an hour of looking I couldn't find it.

Another problem for n00bs is what is still applicable? This is going to get worse with the N900. If I see a problem and solution/workaround, does that apply to my device? Was it fixed in Diablo? in Fremantle? It's even worse with apps whose thread spans many years and many versions.

Search can only go so far. The Wiki helps when it provides a single canonical answer. But we also need a n00b/dummies/poohbear forum where responders practice tolerance even when two threads in a row ask the same dumb question.