by accident - was looking for math; have now recommended this to several others. Would like to see a "beginners" section - allow us "newbes" to enter slowly, easier problems. Keep the experts out for a while.

Welcome Ceb (and other newcomers.) As a recent "newbe" of a couple of months I understand how it feels. Don't worry - it does not take long to get up to speed and soon you will be one of the "experts" solving problems while the next generation of "newbe" are still baffled.
Continue to work on all of those problems that interest you. Take pride in those that you solve for yourself and forget about who else has solved the problem.
I have found all of the "experts" (more experienced puzzlers) to be fantastically helpful and cooperative. I consider them as allies and not opposition to be beaten to the punch; and this site to be about giving as many people as possible the opportunity to enjoy solving puzzles and not just a race to see who is first.

To Percy:
Tips and help for people writing puzzles is a great idea - whether in a beginners section or just as a topic for discussion.

Hi

I found this site also by accident when I was looking for logical problems :)

Hi all,

I just joined this site about three weeks ago, and I love it. The puzzles are great, but the best part is the people, they're a very welcoming bunch. :)

I agree with the previous posters, take your time to settle in. Work on any problems that interest you, even if the solution has already been posted. I personally am one of those people who can't help but look if the solution is already there (which is why I only solve the new puzzles!), but if you have more restraint than I do there are tons of puzzles to work on.

By the way, I think a section about writing puzzles would be EXCELLENT! I've never actually composed a puzzle of my own, and I would love to get some tips from the experts here on how it's done. I mentioned in the comments of a puzzle the other day that solving them is the easy part - coming up with good puzzles is much more difficult.

Amy, there are no prizes for being smart here. You choose your way. Match the 'wit' in the Chatterbox when and if you understand it. Comment there as you please.

To gain full benefits from this site, read the FAQ. It tells you about ways to better become involved. It isn't that hard, really!

Welcome aboard.

Don't try to see commenting on problems as an attempt to be the first to solve a problem. Try to solve the problem, and if you can, post a solution (not just your answer but how you got it.) A lot of people don't post their solution someone else solved it the same way, but that doesn't mean you can't.

Of course, the comments are also good on those hard problems whose solutions seem to require a joint effort. I always enjoy those problems the most. (If only you could predict when this will happen. I hate when a problems is disposed of by one person and then no one has anything to add. It isn't the solver's fault but it always makes me wonder how the problem could have been better to spark more interest.)