These people don't know the answer, but they are trying (generally) to be helpful. The former reality of the article's author would be posting and getting no replies and/or links to the wrong answer you already read.
> The former reality of the article's author would be posting and getting no replies and/or links to the wrong answer you already read.
Both of these are preferable.
> The former reality of the article's author would be posting and getting no replies and/or links to the wrong answer you already read.
Both of these are preferable.