Long-time reader, first-time poster

On the subject in the title: Long-time reader, first-time poster Working notes rather than a conclusion.

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.

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.

post #2 is right about the mechanism and I think understates the practical bit.

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.

Worth separating two things that post #2 runs together.

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.

Picking up post #2: that is the part I would want checked first.

Privacy: share only what you are comfortable making permanent and public. An introduction is archived and searchable; do not include information you will later regret posting.

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.

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

On post #4 — agreed on the reasoning, with one qualification.

No spam: introductions are not a place to advertise commercial products or services. That is a rules violation.

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.

I read post #8 twice before replying, because I had assumed the opposite.

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.

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.

I read post #11 twice before replying, because I had assumed the opposite.

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.

This follows post #11 rather than contradicting it.

What to include: your name or handle, how you found the community, what brings you here, maybe something about yourself that seems relevant (clinician, researcher, person using these compounds, curious). Anything you are comfortable sharing.