That said, I really hope people keep as open and accepting as they've been thus far...I'd hate to see those of us with less skill and practice get ghettoized over to the beginner board.
On the other hand, too much leniency on internet forums tends to result in a lot of first time posters who do not take the time to use the search function or look around the internet and come up with the same questions over and over. In my opinion, any open and tolerant communities profit from regulation, even though that may seem contradictive.
Regulating levels of information, for instance by putting up a beginner's board, can only be a good thing in the long run. Add to that the fact that, as you mention as well, similar questions will now end up in the same location. Who knows, some new posters in the future may even find their answer before clicking the "New thread" button. How's that for efficiency? Nothing ghetto about it.
It kind of reminds me of camera forums, where questions about "this brand vs. that brand" or "what lens for walk-around purposes" tend to drive those who have been around for longer than a few weeks, nuts.
Good call guys, this is my 2 yen, a :nana: and :rock: on!
(Aw man. Just hit the back button and bye bye with the argument...)
It appears we have a dialogue going here.
It is my opinion that a section for first-timer questions such as "didn't look around but what should I buy", "just got my uke yesterday, can't finger the E-chord" and more of the first-post-then-try-again genre, has positive effects as well. Besides being a first stop for new members (referring to the section in a new member's FAQ would be useful), it could be the place for some people to ask what they never dared to because they were afraid of looking stupid. (No reason for that of course in the first place, but as I said before, the tendency to post without doing good research by yourself first is just bad manners, in my not so humble opinion)
It's not all "beginners stand in the hallway while the hardcore members party inside", think positive. If that doesn't work, strum :music: and try again.
And then, if the bad vibes you fear do in fact rear their head some time in the future, there is that fantastic crew called the Mod Squad to pull some strings. But I doubt it will ever come that far with this globally oriented, music loving, aloha-flowing-through-your-veins bunch of ukesters.
it could be the place for some people to ask what they never dared to because they were afraid of looking stupid.