Jim S (Last name unknown),

I remember well being a newbie here... and I remember the 8 weeks I spent in
complete silence before I posted one thing on RGO. I learned within the
first few days that this was a newsgroup not suited/designed for the upload
of full blown photographs. I think it polite that any newbie at least show
the courtesy to investigate the newsgroup for a few days before "jumping in"
and uploading anything... not one photograph was posted on RGO for nearly 2
months before Todd bombed us with his 3 dime-a-dozen orchid (2 plants
un-named) photographs of May 30 easily found on any boring Home Depot garden
display wall. Even a basic simple 2 minute pre-search would have revealed
that fact to him that this is not a binary/graphic type discussion group...
he didn't even bother with that basic courteous research formality. And
so, I likewise felt I also could skip one level of formality/civility in my
note to him and he would totally understand.

I might point out that on his three photographs (of May 30) I initially
restrained my desire to write to him on RGO and hoped he would see the
discourtesy of his posts soon enough... he obviously did not. The fourth
photo upload (June 8) was a disregard of the traditions on RGO... I then
posted up my previously "postponed" point to him. Can you image if every
6-week experienced orchid newbie started bombing us with his newbie photo
keepsakes? This place would be minefield in no time flat for dial-up users
on non-ADSL lines.

And orchids are not an addiction for me... I have outgrown that worn out
stupid moniker and I encourage others to do so also. These orchids are
just plants of the earth! Orchids do not rule our lives like heroin and
cocaine which are truly addictions. I want to throw up every time I hear
someone say orchids are an addiction... what a bunch of bourgeoisie hogwash
that notion is.

The opinions I express in my posts are mine and no one else's opinion. If
other RGOers want to write countering me and encouraging every newbie to
upload his full blown Orchids 101 photographs to this newsgroup then go
ahead. If this kid is lost to RGO because of my comment then so be it...
but just remember for every discourteous poster "lost" in this fashion
probably two dozen new posters have received a quick mini-class on the RGO
traditions in the lesson herein. I think it is a fair trade off.

Mick

PS... and yes, on every newsgroup at least one member is going to be classed
as arrogant. Such a title does not bother me and many of my compatriots
here will easily attest to that. I do the dirty work here that no one else
wants to touch... and I have a proud history of that.