Paul,
I agree that it is a tough call and I myself am on that same fence many times. I agree that it is important to know what type of person you are speaking to (and their skill/understanding level) when asked for advice or How-To instructions (I think there is a difference). I have given advice/instruction myself many times but in a more controlled situation. In a Forum such as this you may know exactly what type of person you are responding to, and that they are very capable, but you can have no idea who else will also read it afterwards and what they will do with the information.
Now, the argument comes up that we cannot be held responsible for that situation. I draw a parallel to a situation where I am called to troubleshoot some non-working outlets and am followed about the house and watched intently by the owner and his small children. Before I put a screwdriver near an outlet to remove the cover I will ask the owner if they think the child should be watching this. Invariably, they have said NO, this is because they know how imitative and without fear children can be.
Would I be responsible if the child had done something and gotten hurt after I left? Maybe not legally, but on some level I would have felt responsible and that it could've been avoided.
[/Rant]
Bill
