The problem with the Novice Network is that it's really no different than any other linkshell. The 'enforcement' of this chat is up to the discretion of fellow players. The whole system relies on player honor, something profoundly lacking on EU and NA servers as, apparently, the system works fine on JP. Apparent because I have no character on JP servers nor have the ability to read characters easily.

The term itself, novice, simply means someone inexperienced in something. While many take this channel to be only for new players (Newbie Network), that's simply not the case. It's an advice hall. The only problem with that, as well, as it's entirely too easy to give bad or straight-up incorrect information about the game.

In Cactuar's NN, complaints about hunts are rampant about "early pullers." You can't explain to anyone that their perception of "early pulling" is completely subjective and the moral/'courtesous' obligations they force other players to adhere to, or will harass them (moving for people to remove individuals from all hunt linkshells, false reporting, proceeding to witch-hunt those people), when their own personal views are the complete opposite of SE's stance. There was a time when people were saying things like shirk is bad and any person using this skill is a bad player and proceed to stick their fingers in their ears and drown out anyone else that says otherwise while continuously giving this 'advice' out. People have an incredibly hard time separating personal bias, viability, and actual application.

I absolutely wish SE would implement a quiz and/or upkeep exam for mentors simply to stop the spread of misinformation, or at least slow it. While I think the idea of the NN was an example of good intentions to help players start, making Hall of the Novice a requirement, and expanding on that, would be far better executed in the long run. Where even if you jump potion, you will still need to do it to show that you have a grasp of the very fundamentals of the game.