If you ask a question and get harrassed a little, bear with it. The older hackers don't want to pass on information to someone who has no patience, no sense of humor, and won't use the information correctly. If no one answers your questions, look around. As a visible hacker, they have to worry about being logged by any cops or feds on the board, being harassed by any telco employees that may read the message, or narcs in the area. If you just come out of nowhere and start asking questions, paranoia kicks in for the older hackers.
Patience is a key element to learning.
For the older hackers. You have to pass your legacy on to someone else. There is no reason for you to leave with all the information you have and remove it from the scene totally. If all else fails, write some text files about new stuff you have discovered. If new people ask questions, give them answers, or at least point them in the direction of obtaining that answer on their own.