Noticing Newbies

I first tried the help board - was referred to the general board/here. Went to the general board and posted a message with some questions and when I went back to check it's removed. This is REALLY confusing and no one seems to be able questions.

Where are the groups? It says 522 items but there's 5 showing no matter if page 1 4 or 10 it's the same 5 - and they want points. Yet I'm told there's groups to join. :(

What are the rules for posting besides what's posted? 'cause I'd posted being nice and not breaking rules that I know of and it was removed.

I got an email about contests, clicked the link to enter and got a message I'm not allowed to do that. Is it really worth getting the newsletters when it's not possible to take part?

Would kinda like to join but keep hitting dead ends trying to do much of anything on here.
:.-(

JanH