Please go back into the Thread list by going back to the top of this page & just above the "+ Reply To Thread" button, you can find the Forums => General Forums => Newbies => Newbie, click on the blue Newbies & that will take you to the Thread List.On top left you will find "Post New Thread" button...click on it & you will be brought to another page with boxes to fill in your Thread title & another box below to post your very own introduction.If you want to put in any emoticons (funny pictures like my smiley below) you can choose from the list beside the box, if you want more, click on "more" but make sure your blinking cursor is where you want to place the emoticon...
Rest of it you can play around with the other buttons...replying to a thread is no problem as you've done it already....