New-ish to Audiogon Forums... Is it always like this?

@jjss49 Great callouts! It certainly helps to consider the posters when weighing their comments. Having been here since the beginning, over time I've developed a few subconscious categories that help me sift through replies:
- lifers - those who've been here and on other audio forums for the long haul chiming in usefully based on experience with the issues/gear on topic
- promoting pros - dealers and occasionally others that blatantly or discreetly push their wares
- insider angels - manufacturers & other insiders that put the poster's needs above their own short term profits (more please!)
- promoting lemmings - those who often with limited experience promote what they own to reconfirm their decisions
- emerging enthusiasts - want and deserve knowledge to further their journey
- surface scratchers - newbies as described by the OP, asking overly simple questions, expecting nirvana on a silver platter in 180 characters or less, and often too lazy to accept that "it depends"
- zealots - angry believers focused on their preferences (digital/analog subjective/objective or tube/ss)
- everybody else 
Here's to more angel behavior, deep interest and enthusiasm...cheers,
Spencer  

Thanks for the additional, thoughtful replies. @sbank - reading through your list of user types, I cringe to think that I sometimes fall into the wrong category. Honestly, I’m personally still learning how to interact online, in the most positive and meaningful way. It’s odd that it is so different than talking in person. You’d think that it would come "naturally" but it takes some getting used to. EDIT - maybe it's just me.

Is it any different somewhere else?

@mapman

yes, at audio circle there are notably fewer trolls and time wasters, manufacturers are clearly labelled as such, mods do not tolerate negativity and stamp it out 

@sbank

haha spencer... great descriptions... you must be in consumer marketing as a profession!!!

I’ll go out on a limb and say the reason for the difference between here and audio circle is this site is here primarily to sell stuff and make money...the forum is in support of that and pretty much anything goes, as long as no laws get broken.