Joined after a search result and stayed

Posting this under the heading it deserves: Joined after a search result and stayed Everything below is what sits behind that.

Lower-stakes topic, but the sourcing rule still applies if anyone makes a claim.

Something adjacent that I have been thinking about and that does not belong in any of the technical categories. No question in particular; I am interested in how other people see it.

Practical note that does not fit anywhere else. Whatever you conclude from this topic, write down what you did and when. The single most useful thing in your own records is not any individual result; it is that they are dated and consecutive.

Lurking first: if you want to introduce yourself after lurking a bit, that is fine. You do not have to introduce yourself before your first technical post either.

Coming back to post #3, because the follow-up matters more than the original answer.

Welcome: the response to introductions is usually welcome. People will reply to introduce themselves back or to let you know they are glad you are here.

post #4 is right about the mechanism and I think understates the practical bit.

Thank you for the correction. I have edited my earlier post with a note rather than silently, so the thread still makes sense to read. The error was mine and it was the kind that comes from remembering a figure instead of looking it up.

No judgment: people come to this community from all backgrounds and with all motivations. Introductions are for getting to know each other, not for evaluation.

Community culture: introductions give you a sense of who is here. Reading a few introduces you to the people and the tone of the community.

Say hello. No question required. Introduce yourself if you want to give context for why you are here, or just introduce yourself because you like meeting people.

post #8 answers the question as asked. The question underneath it is different.

Following up: if you introduce yourself and someone asks a follow-up question, you can reply here or in a direct message depending on what feels right.

On post #6 — agreed on the reasoning, with one qualification.

Ongoing: you can post multiple introductions over time. If you return after a long break, reintroducing yourself is fine.