Only to newbies.

No it is proascending though

I hope not, I use it all the time :-)

I think it's cute :) I'm sure they've been called worse.

Only if the person being called that chooses to be offended by it. It's all a matter of opinion. When I join or try something new, that's exactly what I am; a newbie.

I've never thought so and I don't think most people mean for it to be when they use the term.

No I do not think so we have all been Newbies.

nope

No. It's descriptive and accurate for someone who is new to an organization, a school, to anything. Losing that description is a rite of passage.

I prefer newbie to fresh meat

Naw ... kinda cute, actually. Had never heard it til I was online. I like that you can be an "old hand" in one place and a "newbie" in another .. ever changing those labels as we carry on in life. Newbie? Yup. Good term. Works for me! :)

No, it just refers to someone who's new at something. It's not intended to be offensive.

Hardly. It's an accurate descriptor, and kind of affectionate at that. On submarines we had "nubs": non-useful bodies. They were the junior sailors who weren't fully qualified in-rate and for their submarine warfare pin. This means they can only support the watchbill and perform maintenance in a very limited fashion, and then often only under the watchful eyes of a qualified over-instruction watch. Hence the non-useful body term for them. In general, nubs have no rights except those associated with getting their qualifications completed. They may watch movies only if they are not behind in their quals and so forth. In the 'kinder, gentler Navy', the command actively discourages calling such young sailors 'nubs', as it's officially looked upon as derogatory and hazing. Personally, I have always thought that stance to be bullsh*t. On a sub, a non-qualified sailor IS useless in many things and as such IS a nub and will remain so until he's qualified. We may be harsh, but submarine life isn't easy anyway...AND we take care of our nubs! It's a point of extreme pride for everyone when a nub earns his dolphins and is finally fully qualified in his division. So Newbies...take pride in your title! You'll move up fast enough and there are many who will gladly help you!

Like others I think it's somewhat endearing. However, the term 'noob' can be rather condescending in certain circles.

I have never thought of it as such. I think it's a natural fun term for someone that is new to something. Everyone has to start somewhere:-)

No more so than "oldtimer". We consist of Newbies and Oldtimers..at least, that is how I have always referred to us. If anyone has been offended by that, then what terms would you prefer? :) Happy Thursday! :) (9hugs))

Yes , I've always been a believer that we're all the same. I feel this puts new people under a bit of undue pressure. Most new people ask and answer better than me !!

I prefer "newbie" to "FNG". (F*&%in' new guy.)

On Runescape it is.

We each choose the words we use, I never use "newbie" I prefer to call them new users or new whatever. I would not want to hurt or degrade anyone. Regards.

It can be, I just prefer the classic "noob".:D

I actually do. And I find it irritating. It's a bit baby talk-ish. Newbie. I hate baby talk. And I don't see how it matters if you're new or not anyway. New person'll do :)

I might take offense at it now since I've been surfing the net for like 15 years now.

No, I've been there as so many others have been also, as long as its not said or used in a nasty fashion, I have no problem. As I feel all folks deserve respect no matter what. and as my grandfather would have said"The only question the is dumb is the one you didn't ask!" so ask away and I'm sure we will have lots of answer for you.....lol

condescending, yet cute!

it only seems condescending if you are the newbie but then again everybody has been a newbie at some point and will then inherit the right to call others newbies so i guess its just and ongoing cycle of newbie-calling.

Nope, we are all newbs every time we start anything new.

One time I cried because I got pnwed on Xbox Live then I was called a noob. It was very traumatic. I still have nightmares.

No, we all have to start somewhere.

I felt a little something when called that. It didn't feel good when it was said and did take it as an insult even though I've been surfing the net for like 15 years.

No, not at all. It would probably explain a lot.

Yes. That word is offensive. Just because a person is ugly doesn't mean it's not offensive to call him ugly.

Not at all. I can't learn with defenses up.

At this point I'd be proud to be anything associated with new.

No, but we generally say FNG for Fuq'n New Guy

I am not that easily insulted, i would find it funny ;0)

No, it's just a name, and it's usually the truth too, so why would you be offended?

I figure that if they are willing to say it to my face, it is probably used as term of endearment. Wouldn't be the first nickname I've ever had! :)

Not at all, just as I am not offended if someone says I'm old because I am old. Truth is a good thing, especially when it is benign. I was a Newbie here for a long time..it took me awhile to catch on, but mostly other AB members took me under their wings and helped me out a lot. Happy Saturday! :)

Not at all. Gives me an excuse if I do something wrong. 'Give me a break, I'm a newb!' :-)

Yes for like 2 seconds but I'm sensitive

No not at all, I'm a newbie on here :)

Is 'trainee' offensive?

In the army your called a runt, in an office your called a tea boy, in a press house your called you there. Everyone has to start somwhere and whats the point of geting there if you can't take out those years on the people starting new? It's why drivers on the raod deliberatly give the L platers something to think about