My question has been closed immediately after I asked it. The closed message dialog links to another question: How do I ask a question that may require recommending software?. The accepted answer with 57 upvotes describes 'How TO ASK questions that may require a software solution:'
"I have <problem-x> that I don't know how to solve. I've already tried X, Y, Z, but those programs don't work because this or that. How do I do this?"
I'd argue this is pretty much the way I've phrased my question. Or isn't it?