Scott
> I however, am considering putting up a newbee
> forum on my own server and hosting it. This may in
> the long run be better than if contribs puts one up.
If you feel a newbie forum is needed, then why don't you ask Jeff Coleman or Hsing Foo Wang to create a new forum, and offer your services to be the Moderator of it. That way you can screen the posts, if people are abusive.