In order to initiate a post, (and this took me a while to figure out myself), you have to go to the main Fourm directory and pick one of the topics; like if you are posting about a cockatiel, go to the cockatiel forum, etc. When you call up the menu on the general forum, you will see a blue button that indicates you want to initiate a thread. Click on it and it gives you a blank thread form to fill out. My biggest problem is finding where to place the thread as I have huge interests in bird evolution and scientific breakthroughs on bird intelligence, culture and behavior. If the article I am sighting is about a parrot species, no problem, but if it is about evolution, where does it go? Sometimes I just take a stab at a general forum heading and post it, figuring they can move it if they wish.
This forum as got to be the most friendly, knowledgable and well monitored forum on the web for birds; and I would not hestitate to say for cats as well. Most other forums are very hostitle to new members and the 'favored' people get away with putdowns toward new members that would not be tolerated on AA. I wish I could find a cat forum and nice as AA. The one I am on now has a clique that is vicious! But they do have great info on it and the moderator is not too bad; a little salty and high a mighty, but OK.
Only if you spend it on Ziggy for me!
You also know you're a really a member when are able to remember certain unique behavior fellow Roadies have, like wearing two pair of underwear at all times. 
o
