But do the n00bs know how to open a console? :p
Nope. That's why I think the defaults should change. Either that or I could set up binds for things like:
say UnamedPlayer: open the console by pressing the ~ key
say it's above TAB
say no you have to hit shift first
say ok now type /r_gamma 1.4
say no, don't say it, you have to type it in that console
say the thing you just opened
say with the tilde
say the tilde is the ~
...
I need binds because I'm sick of typing it over and over

An alternative would be to do what Enemy Territory does and give the user a special menu when they run Tremulous for the first time asking them their name, connection speed, etc. Of course this is a lot more work than just changing the default values for these cvars.