I will be glad to help. Shoot me an email through the forum email tool and I will share my experience and some tips. In fact, you can put me down first or second on your list and I will load your box with some goodies for the "Noob Box". You might need to bend your rules a little for this to happen, and I could certainly understand if you won't
Vortish, it wasn't until you said something about your rep I even paid any attention to it. Just FYI that wasn't the deal breaker, I wasn't even aware of what you're referring to at the time I PM'd you. The decision was solely made on length of membership, the posts numbers weren't really a factor either.
I guess I want to say it one more way and then we can hopefully put it to rest: having rules for a box like this is sensible and reasonable. The benefit of these rules are evident, and without having to explain them any more than has been done I think most would agree. Once you put the rules in place, particularly the inclusion criteria, what's even more important is that I follow them to a tee. No bending on my part because I'm the organizer, that's not fair to everyone, especially those who decided to sign up. Once I start bending the rules and 15 people have made the list I'm basically changing the terms of agreement for everyone. There are some on the list who may not have joined under different terms, especially an "all comer's" type of inclusion. With a few exceptions I can almost bet that almost everyone on the current list has had some sort of relationship with the others and a sense of trust. Tmack sees Crazyspaz and Flamingpyro and Daguin and he says "sure, I know those guys, I'll join, I've got some cool stuff I'd give to guys like that" (never mind it's the guys coming after he will give to, but you get the point). On the other hand, Tmack sees a list of members who've just joined and thinks "maybe next time" and doesn't sign up. If I go and change things up after someone has committed to the effort I'm really not keeping my word and the reasons some may have signed aren't regarded. That wouldn't sit well with me and it shouldn't with anyone.
When I first joined this forum as a Noob I probably would have thought these types of rules made sense but shouldn't apply to me for the reasons they were created. I know I would have been a good list member even if I was a noob, at least in my own estimation. That's because I know me and the stuff I've got. But, I wouldn't expect the vets to take my word or my estimation of myself at face value either.
When I joined I actually read the sticky posts I was referred to and it was probably the best thing I ever did as far as this forum goes. I distinctly remember the one post in one of the about the party analogy. It made perfect sense and was an excellent description of how things work around here. Hopefully someone reading this knows where that analogy is and can post a link to it. It is so relevant right now I think.
Believe it or not I think almost all of the vets are excited about the Noob and wanting them to get involved and be a part of things. Everyone was a Noob at one time and without the Noob we wouldn't have what we have today. I cannot think of a better resource anywhere for this hobby anywhere else that's this thorough, knowledgable, and broad. Not to mention it's free. And to prove my argument about old timers wanting the Noob to be a part of things I am to only going to help you start your box, I will even send you a bunch of good stuff to start it with if you email me. Forget what I said about putting me on the list above. I will just mail you a box of stuff at my expense so you can start a really good Noob box.
JM
That says something about the members of this forum (a positive thing lol).
