To all lurkers and newbies ... you know who you are :)

[nera at rconnect.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 17149

Just out of curiosity, and being the "always analytical" person that 
I am, I was wondering why so many people lurk, rather than add their 
questions or opinions to the list. 

Also, why do so many newbies preface their questions or opinions with 
lengthy apologies, which sound as if they are pleading someone's 
humble forgiveness? Do the rest of us scare you? 

If I just wanted to read about HP, I would probably surf all of the 
HP websites. I have found that the most fun thing about this group is 
the fact that I can ask questions or cast my opinion out there among 
the rest. Sometimes I get feedback, sometimes not. Sometimes I get 
feedback that I did not expect. You have to be able to accept 
criticism in here. I have made some horrific canon blunders and got 
nailed for it. :) I have also asked some questions which had been on 
other peoples' minds too. :):):) 

If you are a newbie and worried that your question has been hashed & 
rehashed to death, maybe it has. Then again, maybe it has not. There 
are so many sides to every issue. Perhaps yours is just the new 
perspective that we need to see. How will we ever know this for sure 
if you just sit there, keeping all of your incredible ideas locked up 
in your head?

If you ask a question, I am reasonably certain that the veterans of 
the channel can direct you to the exact letters where it has been 
previously discussed. There just might be others, though, who don't 
mind discussing it again. There might just be still others who have 
not had the chance to be *in* the previous discussions, but would 
like to be now. Take a chance. Post that question or opinion. It is 
not like someone is going to shoot you or anything. You might get 
forced to fluff some bunny slippers, though. Just a warning.

Doreen, who would love to hear from the other 1,000 people on the 
list. If you are really really shy, my email address is 
nera at rconnect.com