I would add that in the case OP mentioned the whole argument was fueled by a single individual who tried to force reddit rules, instead of just have everyone use common sense. It'll get chatty at times when new people come in, but that usually dies down after a few lines and if a sprout asks something, they can be more than sure at least 10 people will answer.

Also, the sprouts who wanted out mostly trolls themselves. The majority of sprouts in the channel didn't say a word apart from the occasional question.

This is the way the channel _will_ go, as a temporary linkshell, with new players needing to be invited manually. If you really want to help sprouts, go into the starting areas, chat them up, maybe give them some HQ gear to prepare them for their first dungeon and add them to your friendlist for them to ask you whatever they want to know. This has worked very well before, I don't see why it won't work anymore now.