Theres 2 or 3 posts re newbies the newbie channels etc, I thought I would just offer my view.

There are heaps of very good help text in cf - however, when a newbie comes on, if they are not helped in the early stages or perhaps feel disgruntled in the way people are helping... ie
"help xxxx" and "dont ask that here" or "find out in game" (note these responses come as much from other players as anything) this is likely to turn players away. From the survey conducted it looks like cf has a lot of players that have been here for a long time - and we all know that the restrictions on what you could and couldnt say have become much more strict.

recently someone asked on the newbie channel what websites could be checked to help with the game. The imms at the time said check the official site, and that they couldnt mention others. I would suggest Dikus map and Dioxides sites are mammoth help to newbies both to find out about the game and become part of the community of players (which obviously benefits the game itself).

Also - for the players as much as anything - consider helping the newbies. eg I was playing a necromancer and a newbie couldnt find a few places such as the ranger guild and then the trainer - yes there are maps etc but it can be an effort. Now if I had just been a goodie I would have shown him - but as a necro I offered him directions for money (not much but enough to keep the roleplay aspect ok). You could tell the newbie was immensly happy with this after obviously been frustrated with the newbie channel.

My 2c