I can see the reasons some advocate for an introductory post, I think the dreams are good but never translate into reality. It discourages quiet lurking and add

I can see the reasons some advocate for an introductory post, I think the dreams are good but never translate into reality. It discourages quiet lurking and adds stress to the already exciting first post. "I don't want to sound like an idiot" is already bad enough when your first post is motivated by "oo I know something about this subject being discussed". It can only be worse if you're required to do the grade school stand up introduction. For "old hands" where its just another forum it may just be an annoyance. Those who appreciate it as a chance to brag (guilty), often find more welcome opportunities for boasting in other contexts if they wait. Even then the perception of gatekeeping can negatively color the experience of the whole forum. Some forums want to be limited in scope and membership, and this can be a useful tool for that. I tend to assume I will be among the unwelcome at any such division, so I don't participate in that kind of forum. Don't feel I'm missing much.