i also have been searching how to make new post.
What i have been having to do before posting a reply is clicking on the small icon of the paper and quill, in the bottom right corner of each poated reply. this then moves my cursor to the quick reply box so i can type like i am now. THis is the first forum i have seenthat requires you to click that icon before quick replying. maybe there is something in preferneces
It's for people that subscribe. Otherwise they don't know what post you are replying to.
I guess I'll just remove it since you have a thread subscription as well.