Newbie

The informal term newbie (n00b or noob in leet (1337) -speak, is not the same.) means a newcomer to a particular corner of cyberspace, such as a web log, newsgroup, or the World Wide Web itself. It can be used in either a disparaging or a friendly way, based on the attitudes the existing communities have on them.

Table of contents

1 Negative 2 Positive 3 Noob or n00b (Correct 1337 spelling is //006)

Negative

It is often used against a new user apt to ask allegedly "dumb" questions and who generally acts gauchely and uncool, to the consternation or amusement of the old hands. Due to their inexperience, they are often picked on or have an unsatifying welcome. If friendly to the place, they tend to learn more and stay; if not friendly, they tend to be "kicked out" or ostracized from that place.

The term is also used by individuals or groups, known as regs, against any newcomer, whether the newcomer acts ignorantly or not. In this case, the regs attempt to show dominance by belittling the newbie. The newbie will be teased, and if the newbie reacts, the regs then use the reactions as justifications for the originally unjustified belittlements.

Positive

However, in other communities, newbies are received with extra attention. Some chatrooms, for example, have established rules to ask "oldies" to first answer the newbies' questions or concerns before resuming their ongoing discussions.

Other communities do not treat newbies with a significantly elevated status, but do greet most of the friendly newbies with welcomes informing them the methods to get help.

Noob or n00b (Correct 1337 spelling is //006)

A noob or n00b is a newbie who claims to know a lot about a subject, but really does not. They often show off their false skills to gain a reputation. The term was first used in hacker groups on the BBS chat systems in the 70's.