user5150: I just created an account and spend a frustrating hour reading help menus and trying to figure out how to post or reply to posts.
None of the buttons -- New Topic, Reply, Quote -- seem to be showing up.  Is there a verification step that I skipped?
I'm logged it.  I get the "hello [user]" message on top.

user1307: You should first make some posts on the Newbies forum. This post explains the restrictions.

Newbie Restrictions You can only post in the Newbie and Local
  sub-forums till you have 5 posts and at least 4 hours on the forum. 
  The other two restrictions are you need 1 post to be able to send a PM
  and 10 posts to put a link in your sig.


5150: <p>I just created an account and spend a frustrating hour reading help menus and trying to figure out how to post or reply to posts.</p>

<p>None of the buttons -- New Topic, Reply, Quote -- seem to be showing up.  Is there a verification step that I skipped?</p>

<p>I'm logged it.  I get the "hello [user]" message on top.</p>
 1307: <p>You should first make some posts on the <a href="https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=39.0">Newbies</a> forum. <a href="https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=177133.0">This post</a> explains the restrictions.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>Newbie Restrictions</strong> You can only post in the Newbie and Local
  sub-forums till you have 5 posts and at least 4 hours on the forum. 
  The other two restrictions are you need 1 post to be able to send a PM
  and 10 posts to put a link in your sig.</p>
</blockquote>
