To start out, I'm stating that there is a thick line between newbies and n00bs. I'm not doing this just to be haughty like I know all there Is to know about neopet newbies and how to tell them apart. I merely think it is a simple label solution to mark the differences between a hardworking, reasonable person starting their journey on Neopets by reading the rules and learning from help site and the help chat, and a ignorant person who doesn't bother to follow neopet rules and begs people for items because they don't know any better. Of course, I'd also like to note that just because someone has a new account does not mean they are new to Neopets. Off topic as it is, I'd like to take this moment to remind you not to act like you are above someone who has a new account. Most newbies learn quickly and soon become friendly, helpful members of the online society. Anyhow, enough on this. It's time to read about what you came here for. The differences between a newbie and a N00b.

If you are new to Neopets and reading this, try to use the information I give you to be a better Neopian.

New to the neopian world, a flood of new people enter neopia each day. These 'newbies' as we affectionately name them, are confused but well prepared -- if they read the rules before doing anything. Otherwise, older neopians neomail them to scold or calmly ask them to cease whatever they are doing wrong. Very often, they post something like the following in Neochat boards: Post this on 10 chat boards then go to the Chat Preferences and you will win 100, 000 neopoints. Which doesn't work. If they had taken time to read the rules, they would know that chain-letters, spam, etc. is not allowed. So basically, newbies who do not take the time to read the rules & the terms and conditions will pay. However, it is merely a little irritating to see those posts. They do not hurt anyone or annoy to the point of spontaneous combustion (unless you see more than 10 a day). Usually, they are extremely sorry for breaking the rules. However this also leads to older neopians feeling as if they have to 'teach' the newbies. However, this also leads to bias and leads older neopians to believe they are 'smarter'. Newbies are not stupid, merely not informed.

I still haven't gotten to the differences between a newbie and a N00b. Well, I gave some necessary information and examples to make things clearer. So far, you know the newbies are generally good, hardworking people who merely did not bother to read the rules which leads to occasionally doing something that is slightly annoying. Nothing big. Ever since Neopets became so commercialized, the flood of newbies has become so strong that most older neopians have braced themselves for the onslaught of repeated and easily answered questions. However, there are certain newbies who are named n00bs for doing something that just goes against protocol. For example, begging.

Ah...begging. The worst thing you can do on Neopets, next to scamming. Unlike 'the real world', beggars are not pitied, they are scorned. Not because they have less neopoints though. They are scorned because they have every oppurtunity to earn neopoints. We all began with a measly 150 neopoints and made it to where we are today. Everyone can earn their neopoints, no one is excluded from game and their shop. Beggars in the 'real world' wouldn't be begging if given the chance. If they had a choice between working hard for minimum wage and begging on the streets, they would choose the former. However, they don't have that choice and are pitied. Neopet beggars are lazy, evil people. They make up excuses such as "can't play flash games" which is a good enough excuse on its own. However, there is a huge number of games you can play that don't require flash. So you see, begging is unnecessary and extremely irritating. So, if you beg and are a newbie, you will be branded a n00b.

There you have it. An in-depth look at the differences between n00bs and newbies. Comtemplate and move on to another article please! If you have any questions/comments neomail at [pinkittygirl]. I named this an "essay" because it is too subjective. If that's the right word....

Written by Cara a.k.a pinkittygirl

If you'd like to comment on this article please email Cara and she will post your comment here under this article.

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