Reference these search results:

* ["without plugin"][1] (27 results)
* ["without a plugin"][2] (84 results)
* ["without using a plugin"][3] (27 results)

While admitting up-front that this isn't a huge problem, it *is* a bit of a pet peeve. Users asking for solutions "without a Plugin" introduce an arbitrary and unnecessary constraint to potential solutions. Also, such a request belies a fundamental lack of understanding about what a Plugin *is*, how the [WordPress Plugin API][4] works, and how, at the filter/action hook level, a Theme is fundamentally interchangeable with a Plugin.

Would it be worthwhile to add something to our FAQ about not asking for solutions "without a plugin"? 

(Bear in mind: I'm also the one who previously suggested that we discourage answers that consisted of nothing more than a mere Plugin recommendation. The end goal here is *building a body of knowledge and reference code/material*.)

Related:

* https://wordpress.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/1041/most-useful-answers-list-plugins-or-describe-methods
* https://wordpress.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/1250/plugin-recommendation-questions-are-off-topic-but-what-about-plugin-recommendat



  [1]: https://wordpress.stackexchange.com/search?q=%22without%20plugin%22
  [2]: https://wordpress.stackexchange.com/search?q=%22without%20a%20plugin%22
  [3]: https://wordpress.stackexchange.com/search?q=%22without%20using%20a%20plugin%22
  [4]: http://codex.wordpress.org/Plugin_API/