I think a better idea would be what I suggested recently in that to become a Junior Member you would require at least some merit received (at the minimum 1). That way, if they don't get any merit they would remain a newbie indefinitely and be confined to being a bounty member by default.
I know, I support it, but I also know that is has been proposed a lot of times and it has lead to nothing.
But theymos did reply in this topic
[Request] 1 Merit to become junior member and access to bounties sub and he seems to have at least acknowledge that there are members that are here just for bounties and that they should be restricted a bit.
Note that this is probably the only post theymos gave hint he might consider introducing some kind of "voluntary" newbie jail.
An idea I had in this vein was that upon registration you'd have to pick one of two paths:
- "I want to discuss things"
= Banned from all money-making/spam-hotbed sections until Jr Member
- "I want to make money"
= Banned from the more serious sections until Jr Member
My "idea" is basically a copy of his but extended to all members and with the option to get in and out (with a cooldown period to prevent abuse).
As I said in another post, it would be nice if we could make a list of those ideas and suggestions and maybe theymos might come and say: this not, this will be done, I consider this one but not yet, stop talking about this one as it will never be done.