I think this distinction is false. There are naturally a majority of new Maemo users since the N900 came out, and a big number of them (majority?) are simple users with no programming skills, and often no linux knowledge.
This was the same with the N800 and the other NITs, but in that case the percentages were different, as those devices appealed more specifically to linux users, hackers, and a niche which searched for just a tablet.
In that case inexpert users probably were a minority, and they either learned to be part of the community following other's example quietly, or they just took what came out of it. Their device costed also much lesser and had fewer expectations, so, lesser reasons to complain.

I've seen many newcomers to Maemo working on/creating/porting applications; or simply filing bugs and partecipating in design/UI/icons/mods/app testing. A part of these were simple users with no programming skills and no linux knowledge.
They just wanted to do something for the fellow device users, improve their device, and be part of a community of people with some shared interests.

I think it's all up to you, how much you want to be involved, how much time you want to put in it, how long you're prepared to wait for something you want for your device.
No patience/technical capabilities/will? Ignore the community and take what comes...