Why not just leave it on for everybody and give them the choice to turn the chat off or not? Sure, it could be abused, but that's why we can take it away. 
I think it would do more good than not, as there aren't always people with the capabilities to use it online, and lately we seem to have some new blood... Just an idea.
the newbie channel
We should have the ability to choose, at creation an option that says "would you like to help the playerbase throughout the span of your character?" which should give you perm newbie chat. Otherwise, it goes off at 15 like always.
Agreed.
Personally, I think anybody in the academy clan should also get Newbie chat. Either as a learner or as a teacher. Most newbies won't know about the academy. I think the academy is past it's purpose as a school and since there are no more 'classes' I think access to the newb channel is justified.
Anyone willing to help newbs can apply for it. Any newb wanting to keep it past 15 can apply for that as well.
Which is awesome for sure, but not every newbie knows this from the start. Sure they find out after joining the forum and what not, but it just seems like an extra difficult step that could be avoided. not only making it easy on the Staff but the new players as well.
I think what Djriacen is getting at, is that Every player should have access to the newbie channel to be there to answer a newbie's question. Yes, sometimes we will be locked in combat without the ability to give a response, so there certainly should be others around who can answer the question. Obviously the staff is around, but not always. When you come to a new game, the more help you get, and the more of a positive response you get, the more likely you are to keep playing the game to learn more. That person would also be more likely, IMOP to tell their friends about the game. There have been many times where I have been above lvl 15 and was working with a player who was new to mudding. It is incredibly difficult to try and explain syntax commands to them while maintaining some semblance of staying in character. Few if any of us spend more than a day or two with any character in the ranks that we have access to the newbie channel.
Then the rules for the Newbie Channel need to be taken more seriously.
At the very least abuse of the channel should result in an instant slay AND a denial from the channel.
I have almost always had the newbie channel on my 50's. And the amount of crap questions eg: Why is the sky red? Where do baby drows come from? ect.. is already in excess.
Banter edited out.
Ironic on so many accounts.
Thats why I picked you. Jesus. What happened to you twin. You used to be cool.
Whoa... relax. How am I supposed to know what time of the month it is for you.
Whoa... relax. How am I supposed to know what time of the month it is for you.
Dunno if it is for him or for you though 
Dunno if it is for him or for you though
Who the f... f0xx. The sooner you learn you're never invited, the less awkward many future interactions will be.
Pfffft... get the eye-in-a-mouth back you f....
Then the rules for the Newbie Channel need to be taken more seriously.
At the very least abuse of the channel should result in an instant slay AND a denial from the channel.
I have almost always had the newbie channel on my 50's. And the amount of crap questions eg: Why is the sky red? Where do baby drows come from? ect.. is already in excess.
Banter edited out.
really? I log a lot of hours and never really see any issues...
Anyone willing to help newbs can apply for it. Any newb wanting to keep it past 15 can apply for that as well.
I think that 15 is no longer newbie range at all, it's more around the 30's. I have already broken char twice when I was helping a newbie. I like the idea a lot and would at least change the removal of newbie chat to 30 and not 15.