Hmmm <font color="blue">

I'm on all "sides" here... nearly all the "newbies" remark ( either in post or in chat) that they have been coming here or at the very least have been reading many of the posts before they joined.

As for "rules" if that's what you really mean, well, there's no true excuse for NOT bothering to read them, for abusing them, or for becoming upset when reminded of them.

If you're truly speaking only of good suggestions (i.e. mine with reference to a post that might not receive the response the newbie would normally see, unless it was moved...) then maybe some of us CAN do better.

As for me? I do the best I can do for the time I'm doing it! I like to think we all are. Anyone reading our posts will realize we are all suffering somehow.

I still prefer someone with a problem with one of my posts would PM me about it and not air out the laundry in front of all... because newbies and fragile members read it too.

My opinion of the moderators is that they also do the best they can... however, being unpaid volunteers - as I have been repeatedly reminded - they don't catch everything, even when they read it sometimes. And for me, to "notify" a moderator just causes more friction. Plus, DocJohn is on as moderator and most of this surely doesn't require HIS time and energy!

The newbie coming on and feeling criticised is unfortunate. But also remember, in other sites, they receive lots of criticism. They might just have a chip on their shoulder from that. Some might not even be ready for this site, even though they might well be the ones who need it most.

Just IMO