The report screen is just the auto VBulletin one - same as the FAQ on the topbar and other things - it can be used for more than just spam. Plus I am sure I have seen the mods state that using the report feature for such use is something they would like encouraged
AS for sections they are pretty clear cut as it is - barring where the divide between beginner and more experienced is (since I don't think anyone will ever agree on a fixed boundary for that line as it is).
However new people make mistakes - heck even old members occasionally stick threads in the wrong place. What should happen is mods move them and winge at people for having to do so - thus helping ensoure people check where they post more.
However understaffed and without reports they are rather outnumbered I feel
Isn't everything in the noob, advanced, equipment, business, galleries, etc... also photographic discussion?
If so, why is there a photographic discussions forum?
For this:
It is not unreasonable or unexpected that newbies to TPF will post a technical question in here, or post about what photography means to them in the Beginner's section. It's why we try to keep the number of forums in check. Still, there will be crossovers.
However new people make mistakes - heck even old members occasionally stick threads in the wrong place. What should happen is mods move them and winge at people for having to do so - thus helping ensoure people check where they post more.
It seems we agree on your first statement here. Where we part company is your assessment of what moderator action/reaction should be. We're not here to scold newbies for a mis-post, nor chase them around to ensure everyone's posts meet the definition of the forum they are in. That is not possible or practical, regardless of the # of moderators we have on board.
It's a balancing act between these two things:
* TPF staff cannot and do not review every single post, nor are we responsible for the content of any posted message. However, we reserve the right to edit, move, or delete any message whatsoever, which may be done with or without explanation.
*TPF Staff also reserve the right to move, with or without explanation, any message that appears to be posted in the wrong forum. Although every effort is made to contact the poster when this is done, this is not always possible.
I spend more time trying to explain and justify what we do and how we do it in threads like these, frankly.

This thread started as some kind of complaint about lack of good C&C forums; I addressed that (and BigMike also weighed in) a few pages ago. Now, you guys are just complaining in general about the membership.
No offense, but from a moderator standpoint...it gets old. You don't collectively seem to want to be "member-driven" and organize; it's easier to complain vaguely about lack of moderators here and how annoying newbies can be. Come on, now! You guys don't seem to get that you're the ones who make it or break it here. Note my signature: it's been there over a year now and I remember adding it after going through a round of complaints very similar to this one. :razz:
Instead of getting annoyed, spend your next 10 posts doing something positive for the forum: tell a newbie when he's posted in the wrong forum; point another newbie to a helpful thread or article here when he posts the same question you've seen a dozen or more times. Positive, positive! :thumbup:
If you members don't nurture the forum you claim to care so much about, you can bet it will spiral into little more than drivel from newbies and bitching from the core membership...which is what we all see so much of these days.