Fraser-

Every other moment a new member comes our way, waiting to be enlightened by UT personnel. Usually, though, they pass on by. This is quite consistent for most forums. But: if you could, would you install a link to their email so that in the "confirmation" of their username and profile, the link immediately takes them to the "Introduce Yourself" string? That way, if they plan on staying rather than passing us by, they can give us an on-the-welcome-mat introductory hello as soon as they become a member. If they wanna become involved, then I say, "Let's Get To Know Them First."

I think it's fair to say that most people wouldn't want to introduce themselves. I know for me personally, this is the only forum in which I participate in threads of a more personal nature. If someone is joining so that they can get some advice on a telescope purchase, we shouldn't make them jump through hoops to get that. If people want to introduce themselves, they will.

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Well, the upside in this scenario is that even thought the LINK is to the Introduce Yourselves string, the new user can just bypass it. But at least it would be there if someone WOULD want to introduce themselves.

Note added later: Check it out...it's near the end of August, literally, and quite a few people have Introduced Themselves, old and new. Any guesses this string was the charm? No mean to brag, but sometimes the best route, is not the most direct, but the most wide open out in public (WOOP) one. Sometimes it's better just to take a stand and be active.

Well, you can blame Discover Magazine for letting me know of the sites existance. (Dec 07, p 69, but you probably know that already). Anyway, my interest is in the variety offered here. Don't know what will catch my attention first, but that doesn't matter much as right now, it's the thrill of the hunt. Have to wander around a bit. As for the introducing myself part: I don't talk about myself much. If anyone has questions about me, I can/will answer them gladly. It's just not in me to just talk about myself. How's that for an introduction? I'm looking forward to finding out "stuff."

I didn't know that we were mentioned in Discover magazine. Was that for BAUT, or Universe Today?

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Fraser Cain
Publisher
Universe Today - Free space news delivered by email every weekday.

I recently joined the site with the intention of particpating where I could. If I recall correctly, the first time I logged in I saw a message encouraging me to post a message on the "Introduce Yourself" thread, but its not an easy thread to find. Perhaps a link from the main menu would encourage more people to say hello.

I read the brief as well, but since I was away on break and not at the computer for several days, I assumed it had been mentioned.

The December issue should still be in stores, but is also online here. This link is just to the mention of the bad astronomy site. Iirc, it was introduced in the hard copy of the magazine as "blogwatch" or something similar. Discover features different media relating to science each month.

Also of note, the November issue had a number of interesting astronomy/space related articles.

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None to speak of

sunblok

May I introduce myself as sunblok.

Use the literal meaning of 'sunblok' not the conversational implicature.
The 'sun' - origin of entropy and humanity's repose the earth.
dS = dQ / T Me and my arrow, TIME.

'block - bloke' Oblio is just an outcast simpleton.

There is a BLACK WALL '' and on that wall is a WARNING in BLACK LETTERS.
It states "NO DESTINATION BEYOND THIS POINT".

I would like to participate on this forum, but my directions might be too heavy
on mainstream Space Exploration. Lead weigthed feet keep you firmly on the ground.

I did post this:

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archi....aspx#comments

I can not find find the post on this BAUT.

Where are my paddles for this BOAT?

regards,

sunblok

p.s.

List Messages...Jump Forum...Introductions...List Messages...Jump Forum...Introductions...List Messages...Jump Forum...Introductions.

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"In fact, even the branches pointed. And not only that, but everyone we met, in the entire Pointless Forest had a point. And it's just that, well, it's just like here. And we figure that since everything has a point, then I must have one too.". Just then someone in the crowd yelled out, "He's got a point there!".
THE POINT! ©Harry Nilsson

I came across this site totally by accident this morning. I belong to the NEXSTAR and StarryNight groups.

I have always wanted a telescope -- since I was a kid -- many years ago. I teach mathematics and physics at a local college in Toronto, but have never owned a telescope.

But this was the year where my wife [and I] bought me a Celestron NEXTSTAR 8E. It is sitting downstairs waiting for me to put it together. There is a lot of snow outside -- and it has been very cloudy lately -- so even when I get it together -- there probably won't be much to look at.

We live in a new subdivision so looking WEST, the sky is wide open, not bad NORTH or SOUTH -- EAST looks back at the subdivision. If I could take my telescope out on the mounds behind my house it would be great -- but probably will be very difficult to get a flat area to position the telescope.

Anyway, just thought I would check in and let you know there are some newbies out here doing their thing for the first time --

I have read both sites for quite a while now, and only recently decided to get involved in forums. I am a magnet-school ultrageek who just wants to be around his own kind. A front-page link to this thread would be pretty helpful, though. I spent fifteen minutes poking around trying to find the stupid thing.

Hi all, I'm a long term reader of Phil's blog and I've ventured into the forum to read from time to time. I decided to make an account tonight because of the eclipse, but I'm looking forward to getting into some of the discussions. I'm a photographer and I'm interested in maybe getting into astrophotography.

Came for the eclipse, stayed for the astronomy

Hi, I just registered today. I've been reading everything in Phil's site and I thought that it was one of the best damn sites I've been to, so I've decided to register to these forums.

Howdy

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Wikipedia is always right, our Lord and Savior, omniscient and omnipotent, a panacea to quell all questions and should never be looked upon with anything less than worship.

Welcome to Baut Icon of Sin
If you liked Phil's site
You will surely like it here.

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--Niels Bohr--

Ipsa scientia potestas est. ~ Knowledge itself is power.----Bacon