but so is everyone's assumption that newcomers don't have the 'newbie' jitters and that they are quite content to have one sided conversations until someone decides to respond to their awkward prattle.

We were all new once. I'm trying to remember--I don't think I started by introducing myself. I think I began by responding to posts on-topic. Meyers-Briggs was the big thing that I came in on the end of and I got steered to the Keirsey site in response to my questions. A short while later I had *a lot* to talk about. I also was inclined to use the name of my B7-based role-playing character, Avona, for a nom-du-net, and wanted to har from those established on the list if that would sound conceited or be okay. In short, I was asking questions and provoking comment. I only got to know the people behind the names, as it were, very gradually.

One thing we do like to share in the way of personal information is where people are based, generally and how you came to know the show. You may have mentioned these things, but it really only registers on my brain when it's the topic of general conversation. It's interesting to see how Blake's 7 has spread and how the introduction effects long-term biases-- I came in on 3rd season. There's a suggestion that people prefer the first Travis they see. So... My name is Helen, I'm from California, and I got hooked on the show while watching it broadcast from a PBS station in Orange County. Nice to have you with us, Cheryl.