The laziness is what gets me. It doesn't take much research to find out that one needs an interface. Which is pretty much why I've quit answering the question! LOL!
Whilst I agree with you in principle X' I think "we" sometimes forget how far removed from everyday life "proper" sound recording is?
When I got started in it some 9 years ago I worked (as a sort of tool maker, test bed inventor) for a company that made network hardware, patch modules, racks, cabs and cables. As you would expect there were a lot of computers around the place especially in the product test room where I was assistant test room manager. Then too, there were a good dozen computer graduates and yet NONE of these people had any inkling of what an Audio Interface was and MIDI was totally unknown to them. Many were gamers and thought the S (of a) B sound card was the total zenith of sound quality!
Prior to the network industry I was in domestic electronics and by the end of my time a good 25% of my work was demonstrating the ever more complex TV and VCR products to Joe Public. If you are going to stay in THAT job you need to acquire infinite patience and the ability to remain calm and polite under severe provocation!
So I don't mind the noob with a basic question. Better he/she comes here and gets a good answer before buying the wrong kit.......And HOW many times have we seen THAT happen?
And lastly. If we are just going to have pages of stickies and FAQ's what is the point of a forum? Might as well do it once and stay home! A newb section is a calm, polite entry point for people IMO. Those forums that don't have such a section (or who let it be as rabid as the rest of the forum) I am very wary of. I suspect many of the people there are only there for their OWN reasons, not to help others. One can only wonder how they treat visitors to their homes or places of work?
Dave.