Ok here goes,
1) Make sure to read the rules.
https://f95zone.to/threads/general-rules-updated-2024-06-04.5589/
https://f95zone.to/threads/review-rating-rules-updated-2024-06-04.1753/
Some sections like off-topic have different rules so make sure you read those too some also have helpful advice etc.
2) At the top of the site you will find "tickets", if you have any issues or problems on the forum that are not solved in other ways such as using the report function etc. you can open one to seek help.
There is also the "latest updates" which will take you to a page listing top to bottom all new updates and games added.
3) On the latest updates page you can also search for games using the filter marked.
This allows you to search using many different options from including and excluding tags to type of game and even engines.
4) The search function is very important and can save you A LOT of time and trouble, use the advanced search for more detailed and specific results.
When in a thread, the search will by default have the option to search that thread selected first.
This can be changed by clicking the 2 white arrows to the right.
5) While in a thread there is a report link at the bottom left of each post, this can be used to report rule violations, if you find a broken link, if you find a game is missing a tag or if it has one it shouldn't as well as other things. refer to site and section rules for more direction.
5a) You will also notice a number of other icons and links on the page
1) Clicking this icon allows you to share the post, can be used to add selected post to other threads.
2) This icon allows you to bookmark the post.
3) If you want to review a game, you need to click and select the amount of stars, this will open the review window for you to write your review.
Make sure to read and remember the review rules or you risk having your review removed.
4) Here you can select the posts per page, ignore the thread if you want or watch the thread and receive notifications about it.
5) At the bottom right you can like posts (you have a limited number of likes per day and likes in off-topic do not count)
5a) quote and reply are similar but reply will automatically add the post to the text box at the bottom, while quote will allow you to select multiple replies or sections. It is added by clicking the insert quotes button under the text box.
N.B. you can also left click and select text in a post and a pop up will allow you to select reply or quote making it easier to reply to posts.
6) Back on the main page, at the bottom you will see by default "latest replies" showing you each time the page refreshes some of the threads replied to, you can use the other links to navigate quickly to see the latest threads created, latest updates, most viewed threads and most viewed threads in last 30 days.
Finally at the top is your user name, clicking this will give you a drop down menu and from there you can customize and manage your account.
You will also notice 3 icons next to your user name
1) Is for conversations, if someone starts one or replies there will be a red icon with a number, notifying you.
2) This is the alerts icon, it will also have a red icon with a number and notifies you about threads being watched, likes received, responses to reports you made etc.
3) Is "what's new" default opens on latest posts, but has links to other posts.
These are some of the basics and I'm sure I've missed a few but this should help get you started.