So...I have a question (IAS...in all seriousness)....how come we encourage Max to participate in these discussions and play a more active role in the comraderie created here, on his site(when he can find the time), but when he does post a message, we yell at him....to the point where, to protect himself, he has his "pants in bunches"...???(NOI) I trust he doesn't think he has to stay locked in his cage and is only allowed out to answer logistical questions. You guys are an incredible welcoming, encouraging, funny, articulate, supportive group...and I am in daily awe of the amazing wealth of knowledge and humor scattered around here. It really doesn't take long for a newcomer to "feel" the atmosphere here and the dedication to folk traditions. I think, paying attention to not yelling at newcomer's mistakes, (we would never yell at a beginning musician for hitting the wrong string or holding an Autoharp upside down), keeping patience with dumb questions (most of mine), and not losing the humor, goes a lot further than NOI/TIC every sentence......Having just read Banjer's post,I for one, would not have the patience to see the constant interruptions in the flow of conversations that excusing ourselves every sentence would create..(Just a thought....(NOI-NOI-NOI-NOI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)I also have to wonder how Max feels, now that his members have ignored his request to end this discussion.....talk about COURAGE! (TIC;TIC;TIC)