Besides, I have a sneaking suspicion you already know the answer to that question. 
Eh, UncleBeer doesn’t know anything.
Welcome geobabe!
Hey there GeoBabe. Being a newbie myself (the term “newbie” just brings to mind “ickle firsties!!”) I’m not too experienced, and still going through my lurking stage. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your time here on the SDMB.
Welcome to the MB, Geobabe. Sounds like you’ll be a welcome addition here. And, as stated in another thread, I’ve had a crush on you for quite some time.
Another Newbie here…
I was just wondering when & where to introduce myself–I’ve done a little lurking too, but it just made me scared!
Any tips out there?
“It’s not death I fear so much as leaving something so beautiful as life.”
Hi Geobabe (and hi Sunshine)
I’m a newbie too, and you are so right that it helps to lurk a bit first.
Oh, Sunshine - get to know who the regulars are (Wally et al) and show them some respect. Some people haven’t recently and boy are they feeling the brunt (at least I hope they are)
Geobabe - it must be time for those stories! My father was in the Navy for 24 years so I’m sure I’ve heard worse (but possibly not better)
Rock on 
The Scots - never trust a race whose national dress includes a concealed knife.
Just another lurking Newbie… :eek:
But hello to all!
“If we knew what we were doing, it would not be called research.” - Albert Einstein
To the other newbies around here, if you’re looking for helpful hints, I suggest this thread.
The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between the lightning and the lightning bug.
Mark Twain
Holy spittle, Batman! Look at all the newsters in here.
So, I’m guessing, since I don’t have any bagels, that you people weren’t yold you were s’posed to bring breakfast today. Hmmph. Damned lousy moderators.
I did send chocolate to Lynn for moving the thread, but I don’t know nothin’ about no bagels.
I guess I’ll just have to suffer along here. Although it is time for lunch now.
Where do I send my bagels?
Very helpful! Thanks, Geo.
Welcome newbies, come on in. But watch for toes - don’t step on any.
#1 rule - don’t be a jerk.
All else is learn as you go.
Sunshine said:
Too late now!
Some possible advice - stay out of the Pit until you know some people and they know you. Less likely to have unrecoverable exchanges. (Me, I don’t go there at all.)
Be easy on the “smartass” until people get to know you. Same reason.
Or you can follow Kat’s plan in this thread and pick a reg, follow them around posting extravagant praise in every post they post in.
(Just heaping some extravagant praise on Kat.)