Newbie
A Newbie is a new player or beginner, to Neopets. The title is not Neopets exclusive, and is in wide use around the internet, particularly in internet gaming communities. Newbie is usually not a derogatory remark. Neopets, and some guilds, will provide a Newbie Pack to new users. New users will also sometimes introduce themselves in forums as a newbie.
What makes a Newbie?
There is no formal boundary between newbie status and non-newbie status, although the User Lookup shield stops saying 'newbie' three days after the account is created. Despite this, it is possible to remain a 'newbie' depending on the context, for example in the context of plots or games, players who have been playing for six years or more may be considered a "newbie" compared to newer players based on there experience in these specific instances.
Referring to an account whose actual age is longer than the age of your own account as a 'newbie' is generally seen as bad practice, regardless of whether the older account may still be classed as one. When newbie is used this way it is usually being used as a derogatory remark.
Newbie Pack
A Newbie Pack contains a collection of items for users with new accounts to give them a head start in enjoying Neopets. Notable items include Starter Paint Brushes and cardboard Petpets to help the user understand the concepts of both.
N00b
N00b is the leet variation of Newbie, with zeros being shown as the letter "O." It is used to indicate a user who may or may not be new, and acts immature or naïve, often playing Neopets in ways which anger or annoy other users. When n00b is said to another user, it's context is as an insult, often meaing "stupid."
While n00b is a corruption of newbie, due to the continuing evolution of leet, new variations are appearing, such as noob, n000b, nub and noobie. This enter and leave common usage over time, but newbie and n00b remain common throughout.
Sometimes n00b is used unfairly, when a player who has just joined does not know about a past event or how a system on the site works, and players more well-versed in this aspects consider them to be time wasting. N00b should not be used interchangeably with newbie as the former suggests some sort of ineptness even if the latter is also so. Because of the derogatory meaning used with n00b, it's usually recommended for users to never say it.
Acts which some users commit that are likely to cause them to be branded a n00b include:
- Flaming or Grieving - Insulting or making a personal attack on another player, continually or on a single occasion, especially an attack which is unwarranted.
- Spamming - Posting in the NeoBaord or NeoMailing nonsense or repeated off-topic messages, usually spamming.
- Unsolicited Item Requests - Users requesting (usually unsolicited) rare/useful/expensive items, including but not limited to paint brushes, codestones, and items needed to obtain an avatar (offering little in return). Frequently, they will consistently repeat their demands, often growing aggressive until they receive what they ask for or are blocked or frozen. It's common for a user like this to cease all contact with the other user when they receive what they want.
- Unsolicited Neopet Requests - Similar to item requests, users who (usually unsolicited) demand a users Neopets for one of a variety of reasons such as being a rare colour or species, possessing high stats or being well known.
- Unsolicited Guild Invite Requests - As above, users who (usually unsolicited) request an invitation to a user's guild with no prior contact, or one who sends guild invite requests unsolicited to a user without prior contact.
- Scamming - a user of this type can also be trying to scam other users for profit, claiming ignorance of real game facts to appear innocent.