Having a welcome message is indeed a great addition,
May I suggest to what my idea is worth, a follow-through like a test/quiz/assessment for the new users.
Like navigation, and if they have at least comprehended the welcome message.
I would like to see this introduced in Bitcointalk forum.
Quiz/test knowledge messages can be used for:
- Registration (to prevent bot/spam users asking them to read forum rules and basic Bitcoin faq, and then answer them)
- for Ranking Up (extra way to rank up with answering quiz/test of knowledge)
- preventing users break forum rules (by educating them with quiz/test and rewarding with merit if they pass)
It can be useful for:
- educating users
- preventing spam/bots
- improving merit and ranking system
- improving Bitcointalk forum
Aside from what dkbit98 mentioned, questions/tests that educate newcomers.
Name it Bitcointalk Readiness Assessment, to educate and not to intimidate.