I've been lurking a bit after my one post regarding what I should buy as a starter uke. The responses to that thread were extremely helpful, and almost everything I have read does read off as a welcoming community.
That said, I am 100% sure that I also read through one of the threads that you are now talking about. It was a pretty bitter conversation that got out of hand. The OP was getting pretty angry that all the usual posters were railing him with the same response and how he was approaching the situation completely wrong, and that he was being way too quick to judge/complain. I'm sure by now everyone who has read it knows exactly what I'm talking about.
Anyway, the fact is, that poster didn't come in warranting a welcome. The post started with all sorts of complaints about how bad a certain company was, without first trying to make any contact with them to resolve the situation. Then, when several members told the user that wasn't exactly good manners, and that he should try a little before bashing, all parties involved started getting extremely defensive. In the midst of the situation going south, the original complaint actually got resolved, but there was still a lot of bitterness among most of the poster in that thread, I think.
It was very unfortunate, but I don't think it represents the attitude of the community in any way (especially in regards to how welcoming it is). As a noobie myself, I almost wanted to step in and stand up for the other posters, but decided sometimes it is better to stay out of the flame-type threads, even if you have the best intention.
Sorry to dig out and open up that wound, but I figured it is kind of like the elephant in the room. As someone who has looked around the forums and seen a lot of examples of how the community acts, I think I can safely say that that was an anomaly. In the future, I guess you could handle threads like that by sending in a moderator sooner to lock it up, but really, there's not much you can do. You can't come somewhere with a bad attitude about something and then expect a pity party. I think some of the posters here at UU got a little caught up in the emotion of it, and were quick to get defensive on behalf of those who were getting knocked, and they could've handled it better, but it happens. Sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe in, it just sucks when you jump into that situation and then it ends up seeming like you backed the new guy into a corner.
Anyway, I am done with that rant. After reading that thread I guess I had a lot to say about it, but, like I said, I didn't want to fan the flames while it was still going. All in all, I think it's a great community, and that there shouldn't be any major changes in trying to cater to new members, I think you already do a great job. Sometimes accidents happen, and you don't necessarily have to change anything because of that, but I do commend you for at least analyzing the situation, and considering change if necessary.
Finally, I'm thinking that we are getting some non-noobs posts here. Follow the rules!
...kidding!
p.s. Sorry to anyone who actually read all that.