Thanks for those article. I'm trying HN at the suggestion of a colleague, having been a longtime participant in the Slashdot community. It's a bit intimidating as a noob here, but I think that's just because I'm not used to the higher signal to noise ratio (though /.'s moderation system does a very good job with what it has).

I'll still probably lurk more as I get used to the community. It's great to say "participate!" but there is something to be said for understanding the people with which one is talking as well.