Paul and I were discussing the newbie welcome thing and we think that though BoB's automated message is good, it might be very much helpful to have an obviously non-automated message from someone just explaining how it can be hard to join a new forum with a big developed community, but to go to them if they need help or have questions, and point out some things to the newbie, like perhaps, current competitions going on or a few places of possible interest if you know the newbie mentioned their interests in their nub thread. =O I'd be willing to do this.