In comes my idea of a redesign.
Also, another idea which i'm not too sure of... perhaps apon signing up, all you'll be able to post to is the newbie/off topic boards. The other boards would be read only. That way, those who actually have the intellect (programming intellect) and the desire to stick around will ask permission/be granted permission to access the other boards.
This would be strenious to the moderators... but perhaps you could appoint certain people to handle this.
OR, after 5-10 posts, you would be able to access the other boards automatically. This would elminate the people who stroll by here for 1 post about their problem and never return. It would put the post in the right board for the right people to view.