I am a newcommer and I have totally different opinion.
As a new person of course I am looking for help. Even the old account users have started once and were new. There was always someone to help them. I have already found out that asking some people for help is a big mistake as all you get is ignorance. There is always space to say Sorry mate, I cannot help you, rather than ignoring new people!
So basicly I am very active person, reading forum. What I do not like about old account users is the fact of abusing they knowlidge towards new people. Especially werewolf or vampire recruiting. That is pretty sad. Some people wont bother to help but if they see they could recruit someone they play well. That I found it quiet wierd. They will be sweet to you, even pay you the HUD, but when you are in and counted as a member-then you are in inactive family where nothing happen at all. After you realise you do not know How to bite or attack and there is noone to bother to ask for help.
So at the end each side has its ups and downs.
Sometimes a kind word to new people is more than a help. Coz as from my experiences in this game soo far is the fact, that I am mostly alone as noone talking to me.
So far I experienced there are great people who offer help but more people who rather laugh at newbies. SL is really hard from a start thanks to this.
As I said I have met few people who helped me without wanting anything back. It is just a good manner to be greatfull and respectfull to such people. So it is just as in real life. Some people are nice as they are nice and some people are bad, unwilling to help and rather goofy.
PS: I just felt like I should write here but if it's not suitable then I am sorry but I stand by that :-)