Just a reminder for everyone ...

[Lizzie]

I have found this thread constructive also, though I wasn't sure it would be when I first saw it.

I just checked when I joined and was shocked that it's nearly 6 months, but I still feel like a newbie - and to those that have been here 4+ years, I am. I've done a few things to fit in better with an established community and I think it has helped me. I realized after a few weeks that I couldn't simply post my questions and wait for answers, I had to join in and comment on other people's problems, commiserate with their losses, and become a useful member of the community rather than using it. I've also tried to learn posters first names by seeing the way they are referred by others who have been here a long time, hoping at the same time that I'm not insulting them by using their first name unasked.

I have to accept the fact that I'm a text person (I clung to DOS and ignored icons for as long as I could) but more people are picture oriented, and that I need to post a photo or two if I want to attract attention to my thread. I often feel guilty that I rarely write a response to the mainly photo threads, but that's better than saying something for the sake of it.

Anyway, I also thank you Lindsey, for starting this thread.

[K9soul]

Lizzie, I had a trouble remembering names for a long time (and sometimes still do). One thing that helped me is sometimes people would start a thread and ask others to post their names to help get to know them. Perhaps we should do that again with so many newer people here.

I also have to agree with something said earlier that it can make someone look silly if they reply without really reading what they are replying to. For example, someone posts a picture, sharing about a pet that has passed away, telling about the pet and what he/she meant to them.. and you suddenly see a reply "Oh he's cute! How old is he?" It's really advisable to make sure you read a post before you reply