I woul imagine it's somewhere between 6 months to a full year. When I was new in Feb. '03,I don't recall being referred to as that but I obviously was. I didn't feel totally "not new" until Dec. when,after not posting for about 9 or 10 days due to work and other time consuming factors,people actually left messages asking where the heck I was!
They had gotten so used to my posting nearly everday or other day thatthey thought it odd and out of character! After that,I no longer felt like a newbie and felt 100% accepted.
So,be patient LSH,no one can be a newbie forever.
Been me! Aurevoir!
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"A knight of the road,going back to a place where he might get warm."
- Borderstone