I do not think that a beginners list is a good idea. It smacks of a 
crèche, a place where children are put to keep them from bothering the 
grown-ups. Although I do not answer many questions and am probably 
responsible for upsetting the boat more often than not I will help if I 
can but I would not join a list that does nothing for me. Selfish I know 
but I have no interest in reading a list that does not interest me. Also 
people on the beginners list would miss out on all the conversation that 
grown-ups were having.

I used to read Scientific American and Nature as a kid, it took two 
years of reading Scientific American before I became literate enough to 
learn things (five for Nature). But being over my head was a great 
learning experience, you just don't get that in a crèche.