There needs to be a better way to control the permissions of members in validation. In past releases validation was a group where access could be controlled. But now it is more like a status. The problem we have is that we do not want members to start setting up their account -- photo, cover, signature, etc. -- before their account has been approved. So now we have to set those permissions on the newbies group. I have set it up so that once they make their first post they are promoted to the members group with full permissions. But this is awkward and confusing the the new member.

Is there a better way to do this?

It would be nice if the newbie member could be prompted somehow to make their first post to gain full access.

It would be REALLY nice if I could ask members at registration qualifying questions and send them to me for approval. 

 

For the second part, you can use something like Application Forms by @Fosters to ask questions and send the forms to you (or moderators) for approval.   

I still feel validation needs to go back to the way it used to be. Unlike most sites, we do not approve anyone who registers. Allowing members to start setting up their profiles before they are approved seems silly -- especially if their registration does not get approved.