Tim, you've been a help to me over the years, which means I don't want to dump on you too much (even though I join the chorus of dislikers of this new feature, which I find slightly insulting on a variety of levels). Lord knows your job can't be easy at times. But (1) I'd really really really wish you'd call the newbie "New User" rather than "New Contributor", which is utterly presumptuous and ridiculous, and (continued)

(2) can you please please please tell us specifically how long the ridiculous message adheres to the new user. I've a fellow at MO who's has over 300 rep, and I'm a little tired of being told how to behave towards him.

@ToddTrimble A week, as written in the question.

@code_dredd @shmosel Probably a good thing. Leaving a comment under the post to explain that would generate even-more no-longer-needed comments (but would tell the user faster - i.e. faster than when they receive a custom mod warning).

@SurajJain Currently it's not optional, even though some people get insulted when it's displayed under their profile.

Let's hope that SE can "establish some base data" quickly.

They're all about that base