In addition to what others have said, you don't have to consider the forum as some complicated platform to navigate through. Read each boards that you have interest in, read their introduction and the types of topics being created there and you'll get an Idea what they're discussing. When the board isn't somewhere you can write better things in, avoid them untill you have the knowledge to add to discussion being created there without spamming or sounding stupid. Look for board that you can flow freely in and keep on contributing to that board, eventually you'll still be noticed and can receive enough merits from that board to rank up. Take your time to understand the forum before contributing so you didn't make mistakes that might hunt you in future.