Well, after searching on my username I discovered I posted here first, about four months ago, after lurking for about seven months before that.
So, your oneness, to answer your question, I posted here first because I'd gotten tired of ignoring the message at the top of the page, and when I saw another new diver from Oregon post a hello, I piggybacked on his thread.
Too timid to jump in by myself, I guess. I was thinking this could get as rowdy and off-topic as usenet, but it's not. At least not in a bad way . . .
Fin on,
Bryan
PS: Glad I waited two months to answer this question. Some good anecdotes here. And UP's first post! Next thing you know, we'll be comparing baby-on-the-bearskin tintypes!