I'm more of a lurker than a poster by nature, but I had to surface briefly to say "thanks" to all the highly unpaid experts here... After hoovering up as much info as I could here, and following through on all the best practices I could (VIP, P411, reading the self-help manual, becoming friends with the 'search' tool, and much more), I recently dipped my toe into the hobby world for the first time.
And it's been awesome. Stressful and scary, sure, a little -- walking thru that door the first time was pretty intense -- but I've had some truly amazing experiences. I never would have gone through with it without all I was able to learn here.
So thanks again, everyone. Know that you've made at least this newbie's life a little more exciting, and I truly appreciate it.

And when you stop using your toe it REALLY gets good. Seriously from one newb to another, welcome.

Once you have some experience, be sure to share it with others, that's what this board is all about.  After all, we were all newbies at one time.  We all learned from our experiences.  BTW, I am not paid for hosting this board either, and I am eternally grateful to those I refer to as my highly unpaid assistants who offer their advice and expertise on this forum.  You guys know who you are.....

We all can still learn from others, regardless of how long we have been involved in this wonderful hobby.  I know that every once in a while I stumble on something I didn't know already.

Swim

us who have been successful have taken the advice of others and so we too want to pass on the "expertise" to the next generation of hobbyists.

The patience, advice and encouragement of those who preceded us. Welcome and continued good luck.

that my NEWBIE mistakes didn't blow up in my face.  I heard from several who were not so lucky.  LUCK is not a plan!   So I upped my game to being more careful...   the more I learned the more I needed to learn.   I've pretty well got the basics down now, but there is always more to be learned.  Careless, sloppy people get caught!  

The OP took the right steps in availing himself off all the accumulated knowledge available here FOR FREE.  If I can help others with that, it's paying forward.
Best Wishes,
HV