Another problem I find with the code of conduct is that you only get directed to it if you log in while you are on the forums. If you log in from ingame or from the main page you go directly to the forums, bypassing the welcome to the forums page. I have recently obtained 500 total level on my noob account and I logged into the forums straight from the game bypassing the welcome page. It was my first visit to the forums on that account. New users would not have a clue if this happened to them.
No wonder you find so many new time forum users posting in the wrong place, unable to find certain forums and generally confused.
There should be a compulsory page users see when they log into the forums for the very first time. It should explain how to use the forums and what the different sections mean and also how to use forum help and forum emergencies.
I have also noticed that there are "secret" rules. Rules that are not mentioned in the code of conduct or the forum specific rules, not that I could find anyway, such as not being allowed to complain about a group of players. Threads are locked for this, and rightly so but it should be mentioned in the code of conduct. Apparently you are not allowed to ask people not to post, everyone is allowed to give their opinion, fair enough but some people are under the impression that if you ask someone not to continue posting and they keep going it is a reportable offense. No where is this explained.
Also punishments given should be explained. Have a system of 3 warnings and you are banned and say so in the CoC. Make it clear that offensive, racist and personal attacks will be an immediate ban.
I hear of people receiving a mute after spamming twice and without a warning. I hear of people who receive warning after warning after warning and still no ban. That inconsistency again.