That is a fair point.
It should be noted however that this message only shows if you are not logged in, but still, simply assuming that people who are not logged in must be new does seem a little rash.
As you pointed out, jaap, that message is displayed to visitors: people who have not signed in (why would a member not be signed in?), but it also displays to members who have solved less than 25 problems. I felt that it was an appropriate message for both groups. The statement is supposed to be a gentle invitation/suggestion to start with the archives. It is not an enforced restriction, and if you are new then I believe it is good advice. I realise that it's a fairly arbitrary line to draw, but once you've solved 25 problems then you should know your way around the problem set and so the message disappears.
Of course, I can change the message if it is causing people to get upset.
How about... ?
Visitors: "If you are new then..."
Members: "As you've not yet solved 25 problems then..."
(The threshold could be adjusted too.)
I work the problems from home. I do not have internet at home. I tether my phone to the computer to use internet but never for long because of the limited data. I can read the problems posted without logging in and only need to log in to check my answers. This answers the question as to why a member is not logged in. Actually I am not really UPSET it just nags me.
That's useful to know how some people use Project Euler.
I really value feedback like this. Even if you're not upset I certainly do not want to have messages that bother our members. Would you be happier with the messages I proposed in my previous post? And, upon reflection, I think that 10 is a better threshold for members signed in too.
Another feedback: I promised myself that if I ever got to 100% again I would donate to PE. I did that on Saturday morning but when I went to donate I had the devil of a time finding the Donate Button. I searched through every page in PE and did a search in the Forum but no luck. Well I almost gave up but in fact one thing I am is persistent. I googled it. It seems that when you log in you are taken to the archives everytime and I never looked back to the About page because I assumed it was the same before logging in. I know now for future reference - maybe it could be put permanent so that people who are not logged in could see it?