Hiya Mamma.
A "Thread" is the topic you created by typing your message here. What I'm typing now is a "post" or "reply" to your thread.
Threads are just all the different topics you see listed on the forums.
This would be the best place to ask questions until a more experienced member than myself, can answer them for you.
At the top of the forum index should be "Announcements and Rules" click on that and you can read the "do's and don't's" of the forums plus guides and answers to most common questions about the forums.
Also at the top of this area, "The New Members Forum" are some more topics that can help answer questions you might have.
Usually, when there is an important topic, like rules or guides, you will see them at the very top with the word "Sticky" next to them.
That means they are important and to keep them at the top of the forum so no one misses them, they got glued up there.
Hope that helps a little.
Frost