I know, I know. If I have to ask, I’m not there yet… 
In your opinion, when can one confidently call oneself a “doper”?
See? My smilie didn’t even work… I’m definetly not there yet. :rolleyes:
IMHO ShouldBeWorking, it has nothing to do with post count as such, but more to do with how you post, and the qaulity thereof. You will probably be recognised for humour and intelligence rather than the number of posts you make. For instance, I see people with few post counts whom I recognise and admire, and people with many post counts who I think, “mmm don’t know them”. BTW, this is all said by someone who feels like a complete newbie, and probably always will.
I don’t know, but you’re closer than I am (shameless attempt to boost pathetic post count).
“Seventeen.”
“You mean ‘seventeen’ if you’re in a relationship and in love.”
“Nope, just seventeen.”
“But but but, some people mature faster than others. What if you’re not ready at seventeen?”
“Seventeen. You’re ready.”
At least 3/4 of the the top posters post count, so around 8000 or so.
You’re a newbie as long as you feel like one. What exactly that means to each poster is non-constant.
You’re not a newbie anymore when you learn to search for threads. For example, search for “newbie” and you find this one: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=42669 MASTER LIST (Newbies only) part 2
That’s where the rules are stated!
When you start seeing people who are newer than YOU, then you are not the new kid on the block anymore.
I am sure a number of people would disagree with me vehemently on this one… but for me personally, the benchmark would be being able to hold one’s one in a heavy GD thread without making anyone loathe you. It takes a level of board experience, solid knowledge of a topic, and personal maturity.
By this standard I am still a newbie, and believe me I do feel like one.
I don’t usually spend much time in GD.
[sub]Well, that is the answer to everything…[/sub]
most people don’t look at posts, don’t worry.
you’re a doper when you notice you’re using doperslang even in real life
you’re a doper when your other screen/usernames on other sites have the word “dope” in them (for an example, my yahoo account name is NeopianDoper. check my profile if ya like)
and… well, i’ll leave some space for others to add on 
wanders off to other threads
What a crock, don’t beleive these people. You are still a newbie until you get yourself a new one ripped in THE PIT. Come on in…
Bah! Don’t listen to them! I’ve got over 700 posts and I’m still a newbie!
When people know who you are, and start insulting you and abusing you in completely unrelated threads, then you’re not a newbie any more. E.g. Wildest Bill…
Nah…There are plenty of newbies that get that kind of abuse
Actually I just wanted to insult and abuse someone in a completely unrelated thread. Wildest Bill seemed like a good choice…
I would add that the Great Debates are generally anything but Great Debates. Most ideas bantered about are shopworn, ludicrous and/or specious. That said, about 5-10 percent of the posts are truly exceptional and worthy of reading and re-reading. TemnDebb, Sam Stone, and Edwino are great.
**How many posts to not be a newbie anymore? **
<---- Look over there to the number under my name. Add 1 to it.
It’s at least that.
When another poster comes along and asks the question “How long until I’m no longer a newbie?” then you will no longer be a newbie.
Don’t worry. It shouldn’t take too long.