I've got a few suggestions in mind to make the db a bit more convenient, if that's even the right word, for new users anyway
On this first one, my memory might be a bit vague since it's been over a year since I joined. When first creating a new account, instead of just filling up a form with the username, password, blah blah blah and confirming the details, it would instead redirect to a page that has the basics on how the db works when it comes to the points, questions, answers, mods manually checking stuff and a short introduction to the site. On the bottom of the page, there would be a button that says 'I have read this stuff blah blah blah and confirm the details I filled up'
That suggested intro page should contain screenshots and details about the sections on the db. Something like 'green is the color of the qna section. Here is where users would ask questions relating to anything about pokemon, minus roms'. Below that text would then be a screenshot about sample questions that belong to the qna section
After that would be the rmt section with the intro to the areas with a text that contains something like 'orange is the section to rate teams. COMPETITIVE TEAMS ONLY. In game teams are not allowed'. Like with the previous one, it would also contain a screenshot of the questions in the rmt section. And while I'm on it, make it a rule that if an asker does not specify which format they are playing on, the question would be rejected. Really, there are some questions I think, where the asker just posts a team, doesn't include a format, and then ignores that thread for a few days. I mean, if one wants some help with his or her team, that person should at least make it easier to identify what format. If that person isn't playing on common formats, then he or she must specify the custom rules and list them down
Lastly would be the meta section. Same as my other two suggestion, 'here is here questions or threads relating to the db itself belong' and a screenshot of the meta section and the type of threads that belong in this section. This way, new users wouldn't post their questions in the wrong section
After this short intro to the db, an explanation about the points system would then be shown. I'm sure we all saw some questions being asked twice because the asker didn't bother to read the part where 'your question will be checked shortly'. Basically, only the important stuff would be explained in the page intro upon creating an account like questions from new users have to be manually checked, how many points you need to do stuff like no longer have a mod check your question or post on a wall, and the roles of the site like expert or mod or something
After those things would be the rules of the db. There already is a rules page but let's be honest here, we all joined in and ask questions before we read any of the rules. This way, new users would be familiar with the site's rules before posting stuff. Also, highlight it that a user should not at all worry if their question is closed due to being a duplicate. I'm pretty sure many users felt dumb when having their questions closed but it isn't really a big deal since this isn't google after all that reads every single word you type in
Another random suggestion would be the flagging. I'm not gonna bother adding my own thoughts since Fizz already gave his but what I am suggesting is on how the flagging works. Five flags and bye bye question. If this does happen, make it send a notification in the 'my updates' part so that the user would be aware what happened to his or her question. While on the topic of updates, maybe add this to the site intro as where you click to see recent activity on threads you participated in. That's basically common sense but I don't think it hurts to tell about it
Finally, I have on last suggestion and probably the one I deem to be the single most important one, turn off auto correct or at the very least make it optional. Really, auto correct is one of the most annoying things ever and not just on the db but just about anywhere that you type in
