I will tell you all the reason why I started using an automated response..
It wasn't because I don't care to give a response to the welcome threads..
It is because I am sick and tired of repeating the same thing over and over and over and over again...

I got tired of repeating to people to read the rules.. especially since that is what they should have done before they signed up..
and more importantly, I got tired of hearing "i didn't know.." and how they expected me to let them off with a warning despite the previous ones..
I got tired of answering the same questions over and over again.. and my inbox being flooded with questions about SSA, FFSX, to personal questions like "are you really bdx's sister?" or "do you have a boyfriend"

I created the FAQ for a reason..
How many times should I have to say, "Read the rules" or "Please read the FAQ?"
I got tired of repeating myself, and so I decided to get all over and done with by using the auto response in the new member's intro thread..
That way, they know where they can find the rules, and the FAQ, and therefore have no excuse for not reading them, or any unacceptable behavior on the forum.
I just wanted to clear the air about this once and for all..