Being welcome to newbees depends very much on the first activity they show. For instance, from time to time a "Hi, I'm new" thread pops up and in general there will be people welcoming the OP in question.
In the other hand, open with a thread containing old info, misinformed info (the wii is not selling software!!) or just flat out whack info (crazzyman anyone?) will generally result in a lot of backlash. It takes a strong newbee to overcome such backlash.
As for the topic-idea started by Nanaki... awesome idea. I'd post it in the off-topic section as that is a more popular forum.
And if you'd like to make it effective and at least visited a lot you need in my view two things: Call out new members, and humour. Humour speaks for itself but calling out newbees... Nanaki, if you feel like it make it a weekly issue (kinda like real-talk. That at least got Snake a lot of attention). And in that weekly issue, discuss a few key new members, their activity, their situation. It takes some time but A: You get a lot of recognition which can be nice, and B: you retain a lot of new members as they are at least recognised by a more "adult poster".
The Doctor will see you now
Promoting Lesbianism --> 
