I understand the rationale behind wanting to minimize the noise in this forum. It's just hard to figure how someone would ask a question if they can't start a thread?

I see one of two ways: One, hope that there is a thread active that is relevant to your question, or two, ask your question in a non-related thread and be the "off-topic" guy!

Safe swoops
Sangiro
http://www.dropzone.com/