You have a good diagnosis, but I think there's an easier solution. Don't record negative XP against users under level 2.

Hmm...I suppose that would achieve much the same end; after all, the principal purpose of voting is to reflect the quality of the node, not the poster.

Bearing that in mind, the only advantage of a `newbie corner' would be to segregate much of the chaff so that the 'self-righteous old boys' don't have to plough through it unless they really want to.

Personally, I don't mind reading that sort of stuff, but I'm sure there are more than a few old-timers who are fed up with seeing the same FAQs popping up time and again.

-- 
flay, here to learn