ok, to put my oar in: I'm against list splitting. Some assorted reasons:
This list has not enough traffic. Splitting the list would lead into
splitting the community. And People will start double posting,
especially if the get no answer on the exim-novice list. And who do you
think will answer the questions there with the advanced users not
reading the list? There'll will be probably some volunteers, but the
whole load will be on them.
I can only speak for myself, but right now I try to answer mails if I
think can help and I have the time. But the main reason for me reading
the list is that I learn from it, I'm only trying to give something back
from time to time. But I will surely not subscribe a exim-novice list.
And to be honest, I don't see how and why Exim should try to be more
"user friendly". It's an advanced and versatile piece of software, so it
takes time to get used to it. And what's the point in making it more
"beginner friendly" so the community will grow? After all, Exim is not a
religion.
And for the poeple thinking the people here are rude (at the risk of
seeming inpolite): This is ridiculous. I'd really like to see some
examples. Even if it were true, how should this be different on a
spin-off list? Anyway, this is not exim-cuddle. Providing a solution to
some stranger's problem should be polite enough and compensate the left
out "Dear.." and "Kind regards...". But maybe I'm also grumpy. Perhaps
it's Exim that makes people grumpy. In this case, it's better for people
not starting to use it. :)