I know its been mentioned above, but my 2 cents is- Make the Search a GIANT feature at the top, with instructions on how to search, where to search, and letting new posters know THAT IS THE PLACE TO START. That will hopefully lead to a decline in repeat questions, a decline in "snarky" answers. and hopefully, will lead to a decline in the somewhat animal-like frenzy that new folk can face for "just asking a simple question."
Maybe, if "Questions" were reduced to "just" a place for new folk to ask questions, more experienced players who are so annoyed by questions could be asked to just leave that thread alone, instead of scrolling for already asked questions as a blood sport. It really does seem like a vicious attack sometimes, and could definitely lead a new player to think all who play, or all who use threads, are unkind and just waiting to pounce. Right now, it is like a trap, where some lie in wait to destroy, and others come to watch the fire.
Not that I have not had thoughtful and helpful answers to easy questions. I have. Some don't mind helping, so it is definitely a place we should make new folk feel welcome to come to learn, and not like they walked into a bear trap. It is nice we can all come and voice an opinion, that is what makes U.S.A. a great place to be.
Its easy to duck behind the anonymity of a screen name and persona, but let's remember the Golden Rule, and treat all as we wish to be treated.