What is a newby?

[flars]

What is a newby, by any spelling? From some of the junk TV programs the term seems to be derogatory. Perhaps "new brewing enthusiast" would be a more appropriate form of introduction.

 

[Smellyglove]

Newbie?

It's someone new to any hobby. "Newb", "n00b", from gaming. Like in online gaming one can say that someone is a "noob", meaning they suck.

 

[Jayjay1976]

I prefer the term FNG...

A defining characteristic of a newbie is a lack of knowledge, experience and context to successfully make use of anything but the most basic of guidance. More experienced peers often dole out overly complicated advice and when it isn't immediately taken up, resort to criticizing the inexperience of new members.

 

[Lefou]

In the Army, we called 'em NUGs - new, ugly guys. Even the women.

 

[passedpawn]

I dunno, I like the term noob or newbie.

I don't think I've ever left this level, really. Some parts of brewing are mechanical and rote now, but there's still magic and uncertainty there.

 

[Boomer]

In the Army, we called 'em NUGs - new, ugly guys. Even the women.

Never heard that in the Army. Standard for us was FNG. That or Private Fu***ace.

 

[jcav]

I remember many years ago (28 to be exact) being referred to as a "FNG" when I was going through field training. It was funny then and is funny now. Rook is a lot gentler..... Nothing wrong with being a Noob, or Newbie in this hobby. We all were there once!

John

 

[Boomer]

Anyone from the Army have a DSGT call someone a chicken wing in basic training if they couldn't throw the dummy grenade over the wall? Just an example of a derogatory nickname that has tons of merit. They got a giant "CW" written on their ACH labeling them as a chicken wing and weren't allowed to throw the live grenades.

I bring it up because that FNG label is super useful in the military. I know it can seem mean; but, it lets everyone else know who to look out for and make sure they aren't making mistakes that might cost someone his life.

 

[Lefou]

I remember many years ago (28 to be exact) being referred to as a "FNG" when I was going through field training. It was funny then and is funny now. Rook is a lot gentler..... Nothing wrong with being a Noob, or Newbie in this hobby. We all were there once!

John

I was an enlisted NUG thirty-four years ago; the two younger ones of mine were recently cadet military college "rooks". I'm sure they're using slang terms I'm not familiar with.
Tyro, noob, newb, newbie, shavetail ... as long as it isn't intentionally directed at someone in a derogatory manner it doesn't bug me.

 

[mongoose33]

Any word can carry any meaning--gentle, derogatory, hopeful--and it's up to the user and the target to decide whether they should be offended or not.

I personally don't think it's offensive to call someone a newbie nor self-deprecating to refer to oneself as a newbie. In fact, it's useful to know so any suggestions or advice can be placed in that context.

I was a newbie once; a lot of people here on HBT offered up ideas and advice that was helpful. Never did I feel put down. My willingness now to work w/ newbies is in part Karma--people didn't ask for anything when they helped me, I feel the need to pay it forward.

Now, at what point you go from being a newbie to something more experienced....that's a different question.

 

[Lefou]

Negative reinforcement is definitely not the norm in a community like this. You definitely want people to get involved and keep a positive mindset. There's plenty of odd terminology or odd facts some people aren't familiar with - yet.

As an instructor at a military service school years ago, I hated the institution of negative reinforcement from Basic at the AIT level. I sought out the new soldiers who wanted to learn and succeed in my AIT courses - at some point, I'd end up working with them in the future. The command thought drill sergeants were a great idea for discipline in AIT units at the time, but I was working in a school environment. Taking stress from one environment to the other was detrimental to the learning experience for some of my younger people, so I altered the curriculum and lesson plans for them. It's a good feeling to watch someone who had zero confidence in their abilities do a 180 and end up at the top of their group - then come back and say "thank you" for believing in them when it was tough.

As a leader, "newbs" look for good advice so don't steer them wrong. The real dummies and trolls will do themselves in without much help.

 

[MaxStout]

In a sense, we're all newbies. Until we reach a level where we know all there is to know, we're still just noobs. I try to share experiences and help whenever I can, but I still learn a lot of things, I screw up some times, and I always have questions.

 

[Lefou]

I wanna be a brew monk, but it ain't never gonna happen.
Not in this lifetime, anyway.

 

[jcav]

All good points. I remember when I first started on HBT. Even though I had been brewing for several years I wasn't on this forum (or any other) and a lot of what I did was from trial and error and from books. I know I asked a lot of basic questions and I didn't know a lot. When I started to build my single tier "Brutus 10" I asked a lot of stupid questions about how the propane gas thing worked, standing pilot lights, etc. The other more experienced members here ALWAYS treated me right and answered my questions with great detail, and encouraged me. Then I started to build my electric herms "Kal Clone" and had some questions about this as well. The members here who had already built their systems chimed in to help me then as well. I have also learned so much over the years just reading everyone questions and seeing the answers they got with all the many topics. I am definitely NOT a "know it all" and don't pretend to be, and I am still continuously learning. But I will answer others questions when they ask if I know the answer from my experience to help them, as I want to contribute and give back, as I was helped and continually am still being helped by this forum. I have met some really good people here and that is what makes this forum a real community. So I agree as long as the newbie nick names are all in good fun, it's all good. But if it offends anyone then that is not what we are about here, as we want people to feel comfortable asking questions.

John

 

[Lefou]

Hi, my name's Lefou and I have a compulsive obsession - or is an obsessive compulsion? Can't decide, but it sure is fun.

 

[jcav]

Hi, my name's Lefou and I have an obsession.

Welcome, your in the right place!

 

[bernardsmith]

There is a good old English word and it's "novice" and that word does not carry any derogatory connotation. I don't know that we need to actively work to destroy our language.

 

[passedpawn]

There is a good old English word and it's "novice" and that word does not carry any derogatory connotation. I don't know that we need to actively work to destroy our language.

I think all languages are fluid, for lots of reasons. I think that's always been the case (I'm not an etymologist tho!). Don't think you can destroy a language by adding to it.

 

[beernutz]

These type treads remind me of The Changling from Star Trek TOS, which examined what it means to be perfect.

Nomad: You are the creator.
James T. Kirk: But I admit, I am imperfect. How could I have created a perfect being like you?
Nomad: Answer unknown. I shall analyze... Analysis complete: Insufficient data to resolve problem
James T. Kirk: I am the Kirk, the creator?
Nomad: You are the creator.
James T. Kirk: You're WRONG! Jackson Roykirk, your creator, is DEAD, you have mistaken me for him! You are in error!... You did not discover your mistake, you have made TWO errors. You are flawed and IMPERFECT. And you have not corrected by sterilization, you have made THREE errors!
Nomad: Error... Error... Error... Examine...

 

[bernardsmith]

Absolutely - all languages are fluid and are in constant change - and change is excellent but if people view the neologism "noobie" or "noob" as inherently derogatory then there is a well established alternative. Let those "gamers" use whatever word they like for those still learning a craft. We don't need to accept or embrace anything derogatory about those of us who still have lots to learn. All of us are more - or less - seasoned wine and mead makers (possibly brewers too), and being a novice is perfectly OK. Everyone starts off as a novice.

 

[Jayjay1976]

I think all languages are fluid, for lots of reasons. I think that's always been the case (I'm not an etymologist tho!). Don't think you can destroy a language by adding to it.

OT much??

 

[lump42]

I prefer the term FNG...

A defining characteristic of a newbie is a lack of knowledge, experience and context to successfully make use of anything but the most basic of guidance. More experienced peers often dole out overly complicated advice and when it isn't immediately taken up, resort to criticizing the inexperience of new members.

I often see the term used around here in a self-deprecating manner by the novice brewers. Often apologizing for their lack of experience.

 

[JohnSand]

I find the word Newbie odd sounding, but inoffensive. Since we are reminiscing, in the USCG we called the new guys "Boot", on NYPD "Rook", "Rookie" or "New Jack".
I know when I started brewing, I was green, and so was my beer!

 

[Lefou]

No. It's tyro.
I insist on it.

 

[mongoose33]

All good points. I remember when I first started on HBT. Even though I had been brewing for several years I wasn't on this forum (or any other) and a lot of what I did was from trial and error and from books. I know I asked a lot of basic questions and I didn't know a lot. When I started to build my single tier "Brutus 10" I asked a lot of stupid questions about how the propane gas thing worked, standing pilot lights, etc. The other more experienced members here ALWAYS treated me right and answered my questions with great detail, and encouraged me. Then I started to build my electric herms "Kal Clone" and had some questions about this as well. The members here who had already built their systems chimed in to help me then as well. I have also learned so much over the years just reading everyone questions and seeing the answers they got with all the many topics. I am definitely NOT a "know it all" and don't pretend to be, and I am still continuously learning. But I will answer others questions when they ask if I know the answer from my experience to help them, as I want to contribute and give back, as I was helped and continually am still being helped by this forum. I have met some really good people here and that is what makes this forum a real community. So I agree as long as the newbie nick names are all in good fun, it's all good. But if it offends anyone then that is not what we are about here, as we want people to feel comfortable asking questions.

John

IMO, there are no stupid questions...only inconsiderate ones, where you could have easily discovered the answer with a tiny bit of effort. Such as searching, or reading carefully the responses you are provided.

When dealing with something like gas connections, standing pilot lights, etc., questions are not stupid. They are almost certainly confirmatory, as in, if you don't confirm your understanding and it's wrong, you have a large explosion.

 

[Jayjay1976]

In the bureau we used to call new agents "probies" as in probationary agents. They might have had 15 years experience elsewhere, but the on-boarding process and learning curve were steep, hence the label typically stuck for at least 2-3 years.

 

[kristiismean]

Everyone is a Noob starting out. brewing, paintball, drones, games, doesn't matter. if you are just starting out, noob.
When I was playing paintball it was both a term of endearment and an insult. The new people with rental gear were all "noobs" and you helped and supported them. If a player showed promise you traded markers with them and let them have fun, etc, pushed them to grow.

the insult part was when someone new shows up at a field, with all new matching gear, and thinks they are the king **** on the field. It's not their gear, etc that makes them a newb, it's their "I know everything" attitude without being able to support it.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I've never felt noob (at least around here) was a derogatory term. I've only been brewing AG for a year, so I'm still largely a noob. I'm more likely to refer to myself as a neophyte though...

 

[lump42]

thinks they are the king poopy on the field.

Glad I haven't met any in the field, I bet they stink. I'll watch my step next time I'm out.

 

[jjw5015]

What is a newby, by any spelling? From some of the junk TV programs the term seems to be derogatory. Perhaps "new brewing enthusiast" would be a more appropriate form of introduction.

what a n00b