Technically speaking, every question could be answered with RTFM, since there are manuals/tutorials/wikis covering most everything imaginable. RTFM, isn't your problem here. That is merely the result of your members coming to the end of their rope. And, they have reached that point due mainly to the confusing nature of the combined wiki and forum. The slogan is impossible and confusing. And, the wiki is mostly written like a tutorial. Any sane person will ultimately come to the conclusion that the forum must be for my questions. Then in the forum you have many confusing descriptions and forum labels.
OS Development wrote:
Question about which tools to use, bugs, the best way to implement a function, etc should go here. Don't forget to see if your question is answered in the wiki first! When in doubt post here.
All of those reasons to post sound very newcomer friendly, then your last statement sounds too inviting to non-searchers. Basically, "It's OK if you didn't find it in the wiki, just post your questions here anyway."
General Programming wrote:
Programming, for all ages and all languages.
I don't know, that entire thing sounds really newcomer friendly.
Now, my question to the community: In which forums do most newcomer questions get asked?
My most humble suggestion: Plan to enforce friendlier behavior, clean up the wording and create a beginner's area, and focus more on further developing the wiki.
My most humble advice: Newcomers equal growth.
thank you