In an aid to reduce the amount of rubbish that gets posted from brand new users (or long time listeners, first time posters), it could be useful to make them sit a short test (or an "interactive tutorial" might sound better).
This "interactive tutorial" might consist of an initial page presenting a cut-down version of the FAQ, highlighting what makes a good question, and what kind of things they should avoid asking.
The user would then proceed to a number of bad question examples, the user would then be required to select from a list of choices, what is wrong with the example question.
Of course, we wouldn't want to deny membership should anybody "not pass", so instead, whenever a user selects a wrong answer, they are presented with an explanation as to why their selection is wrong, and why the correct answer is a more suitable reason. The user should be forced to read this by using a short 30 second timer (or however long), before they can move on to the next question.
This could be extended to work on a per-action basis. For example, before a user can have privileges for an action (e.g. post question, answer, comment, vote up/down, etc.) they have to sit the "interactive tutorial" related to that action.
This could also be enforce on existing users. I would have no problem sitting a few short tutorials in order to earn my privileges back if it means we improve the content from new users.
If it puts off users that don't care, then so what?
And if it puts off users that do care about quality? Still not a problem? What if a subject matter expert comes in as a new user - we demand they go through a test? – Oded Sep 20 '13 at 13:38