Whats on topic is usually indepth discussion about aspects of computer architecture or related ideas far far above the posts recently foisted on it.
Whats off topic is stupid reinventions, stupid questions that could be answered by asking teacher or looking in the library or even googling the groups or even getting a book like "HOW DO COMPUTERS WORK", you know the one with big letters and lots of colors. You can useually pick em up for $5 or less.
Serious questions from outside the industry are treated with respect if they show that there is already a good deal of knowledge attained. Most people here do not work for Intel or AMD, but they don't work for MacDonalds either! A few might not even be working but dealing with this endless drivel is getting on my t*ts.
OK I said it, I feel much better!