I want to join a couple threads that i think will help kick start my program as this was suggested in a newcomer thread. It sounds like a good idea and I'm sure its super simple but I can't figure out how to do this or even what it really means. Help and advice needed please!

There is no joining procedure, you just post in the threads that interest you. You can introduce yourself if you'd like, but in most threads that's not really necessary either.

Welcome, by the way.

Look for the words "Post reply" on the left hand side of the page, below each post, and also at the top of the thread.

Have fun!

In the top right hand corner of the thread (not the whole page), ther is a tab that says 'thread tools.' Click on it for it's drop down menu And you will see another Tab that says 'subscribe to this thread.' Then go from there.

You can get email notifications when anything new is posted to the thread. And if you are subscribed to it, you'll have an easy way to find it when you want to see it.

even easier - go to the bottom of the page to the quick reply screen [it has some HTML symbols on the top left, and a button for 'post quick replay' at the bottom. and then just start typing!

Thanks for the tips...I finally foundthe thread tool thingy and subscribed to a couple already

Where can I find out what all the symbols mean? For instance, the red exclamation point in the left hand orner and the thing next to it that looks like an egg.

I am so confused!

The egg shows you whether the person who made the post is online or not. If it's yellow, they are online.

The exclamation point is a way for you to report a post -- for example, if this post was spam, you could click on that button and report the post to the moderators!

Thanks! I appreciate the response