Right now, there is a question posted on MO that rightly does not belong to MO: [The equivalence of the mathematical induction and the principle of the smallest.][1] Of course, such questions comes and goes every-MO-days. More often than not, if they are lucky, they get one or two polite comments that MO is not right place for asking such questions. What if they also get a comment that also adding that "look at that referece" or "maybe you could find an answer in this (other) site", or even a very short hint as an answer. Indeed, I was about to put such a comment for the question linked above. Then I said to myself, maybe it is wrong doing. Is there any general policiy for putting comments on such questions? Or better to ask: Shoud there be a general policy for putting comments on such questions?     


  [1]: http://mathoverflow.net/questions/139880/the-equivalence-of-the-mathematical-induction-and-the-principle-of-the-smallest