Glad to see this thread. Most new users are used to sharing or promoting ideas within the forums, but this site uses the Brainstorm section for this. This is fine, but it isn't evident when you get here that that is the way it is done.

Also, when you go to the Brainstorm section, its not organized or easy to navigate. Nothing is categorized, and some of the jargon used is foreign to non coders. Then you realize that even though you registered for the forums, you aren't given access to the Brainstorm section. I first thought it meant it was only for registered developers, but you have to register again just to participate or post a Brainstorm.

Also, I know you didn't want to focus on personal attitudes, but there needs to be better moderation and a code of conduct. There needs to be someone willing to help give advice on the resources of the site. Developers develop and users want insight and new features, and these two don't always have the same agenda or speak the same jargon. There needs to be a developer advocate and a user advocate.

This site is huge, and all of the resources aren't easy to access by default. No design can fix that. We need ambassadors to welcome and indoctrinate new users.

An identifier should sit on user profiles as to who is a Maemo or tech blogger, user, developer, Nokia employee, OS/UI/UX designer for Maemo/Nokia, etc. because some position themselves as experts, but that isn't always evident or true, and you can't tell how accurate advice is.

Just a few things I noticed.

(I'm here all day. Feel free to talk via PM if you want more input.)