I take it you were never assigned an upperclassmen who had volunteered to help you around the school for a week. Like I said. I'm interested in solutions rather than just listing the problems. There's another thread that's currently working on that.
I think that acknowledging the very common phenomena of "newbie disorientedness" and keeping it in mind when confronted with the same question many times is a solution, specially for long-timers who forget that beginners are... beginners.
I read "sticking around" as a solution.
I agree with that. As daunting as AT may appear at first with all its members and topics going on, if you stick around soon you become integrated and get to know the people.
These are small solutions people can work on individually and that do not require a major commitment or forum transformations. I have to take a deep breath and remember that the person is newcomer and help them, not scare them. Many times I have communicated to newbies through PM explaining how to start in the forum, how to choose an avatar, how to post etc.
And the newbies have to remember that it does take a while to adapt to new places, but it's worth it.
Personally I don't think I would have the time to be a mentor, for example. Besides, nobody would want me as a mentor, for two reasons: 1) I'm 23 years old, and inspire no respect whatsoever (lol!) and 2) I am known for my occasionally passionate-rude answers in threads, which is something I'm learning to control.
I'd be a bad influence.