back in the "good ole days" for many of us, it wasn't as easy to be a newbie. signs were painted, Gerber 4B's helped some as they cut letters but the fonts were expensive and most people only had a few and did other lettering with other methods. graphics pretty much were all done by hand in some form, pounce patterns, projectors or freehand. it was hard to be a newbie and a hack as you had to have talent of some kind or nothing got made. in this day and age, being a newbie is a piece of cake. turn on a 'puter, throw in a program and off you go, no talent required. still that wouldn't be an issue if the person doing that worked at learning the trade and what it is that they are oing. in a lot of cases, that is just what happens. they come here ask questions, pick up a book, learn some of the bones of a design and try over and over until they get it. some don't. all they want is the computer, program and they think that is it. ask a few pros where to buy some stuff or how to clean a window and off you go. how to clean a freaking window, really? it is at that point that I know I just can't take any more and just want to bash that person, why? they don't respect the trade or the people who are in it. I have no problem with a newbie wanting to learn. I hate the hobby people with a passion as they have turned our trade into a joke with their horrid lowballer signs