I asked this question:

http://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/123655/how-can-i-optimize-the-performance-of-the-tf2-linux-client-on-an-old-low-spec

And got a lot of quick feedback, which is great.  Unfortunately, all of it 'discusses' the question.  It's not all critical - there is at least one commenter and several voters who seem to think it's a valid question.   But the majority of commenters (and narrowly, voters, as of a minute ago) seem to take issue.

Questions have been asked that are quite similar in most respect - questions that have answers, that have upvotes, etc.   *Multiple* questions have been asked about the performance (and optimization thereof) of this very game - for Windows.   Questions have been asked about very specific issues with Linux ports (even Betas).

I guess I just have .. timing.

My questions detractors mostly seem to say that it is too specific/narrow, or that is can't be answered 'cause Linux is just like that'.

I get that by SE design, questions should be able to help others.   In my view, I presented enough details about my situation to provide the basics for an answer - but the answer could/should still be applicable to anyone in a similar situation.   That may not be a lot of people, which I think is why some people have a problem with my question.

Linux gaming is still a pretty small share of the market, especially if we mean the kinds of games people here on Arqade usually play (I don't see many Zork questions).   So, if 'helps too few people' is a problem, and my question would have been ok if it were for the Windows (or OSX, maybe) version, why do we have a *Linux* tag?   It seems like *most* Linux questions will apply to a small subset of current Arqade users.


**Edit:**

To clarify, per the current hold:

If 'Too Specific'/'Too Localized' is a valid close reason, and many users here seem to think that Linux technical questions (almost?) all fit that description, then when is it appropriate to ask a Linux-tagged question?

Only when there are gameplay differences between ports?