Well, it's just a matter of awareness.
When you go to a bar, you have never been before, instincts will tell you to look around first and get familiar with the surrounding, the light and whether there is or not a sign saying "xxxxx type of person not welcome".
So, is the forums. A new place (even virtual, it is a place), you have never been before so the sensible thing to do first is "look around", before doing anything else.
And one doesn't even need to look around, but just straight and can not miss two "stickie" threads which always stay on the top of the list.
The two "special" threads are:
[h=2]
Ideas previously suggested[/h][h=2]
Guide to the Ideas section *Please read before posting*
[/h]So, a new player (who has an idea) would see the first thread and think "
Oh, hey some ideas have been suggested before. I should probably check and not waste my time or the one of the readers and mods" -------> player checks the thread.
"
NO, it has not been suggested, so i should post it" - thinks the new player.
And that's when he/she notices the second thread.
"Hmmmmm, it seems like there are certain rules to posting. I should check this too"
And, in that thread, the new player will read about using the search feature before posting (not all proposed ideas are listed in the first thred)
And if the search says "NO Results", the player then uses the template described in that second thread and posts the idea.
That's how the new player knows of this subject.
Welcome to the forums, ArchDruid