my newbie story:
I joined the day of a show I was going to (U2) to see if I could meet up with other U2 fans. I had read stuff at Interference for a long time, but never registered.
After the show...I really didn't post a lot. Read and read and read until I understood stuff better.
I would post here and there, tasking questions, posting my opinions about songs and talking U2. I found the other spots and would add my 2 cents here and there. I would NEVER try to ruffle feathers or challenge anyone...little alone tell someone to "be nice" - it wasn't my place to do that. I understood that if there was a TRUE disagreement between people, the mods would handle it, or the individuals would handle it.
As the third leg of the tour was announced, I checked in here to see what kind of shows were available...and to see if I could connect with other people that shared my seemingly life-long passion of the band U2. I ended up getting a pair of GA tickets from Propaganda for Las Vegas. Then I found out that a HUGE Interference gathering was happening.
I posted A LOT in the Vegas Gathering thread. A LOT. And then came the show. I first met Sulawesigirl at the airport as we waited for our seperate flights to Vegas (from the same place). At the gathering, I got to meet Sicy and LMPA, Elvis, *ally* and SO MANY others. The next day in the GA line I met other interferencers. I really enjoyed meeting all of these people...and posted and posted and posted when I got home. But, after actually meeting these people, I was no longer a newbie.
My suggestion to those who choose to post...get to know people before you get overly involved. Understand the different relationships. That is important. UNDERSTANDING the realtionships of the people who are already posting here.