Visit their web pages, IRC channels, offer feedback on their writing, offer your opinion and relate your experiences with documentation you have used, show you appreciate what they're doing. Make them feel valued as part of the community, and help them to see how it operates because they probably haven't got a clue. Set a good example. Avoid applying stereotypes or guessing motives. Beware, they might be willing to take on any characteristics that you expect of them.
Newbies often lack self esteem for obvious reasons, and public embarrassment can be devastating.
Allow new people to change slowly, in knowledge skills and attitudes. Be aware that they are learning about themselves in this new environment and be ready to forgive their errors as soon as they forgive themselves. Newbies may be fed occasionally, if they ask or if impending peril is obvious. The rest of the time, give them the space to find their own way and be proud of making their own discoveries. Avoid using newbies as an audience to demonstrate your skill and compassion, however helpful that might seem to both parties in the short term.