I'm sorry but you are incorrect. For a new user, the option to create a new topic is no longer available. I created a brand new account to check. If you don't believe me, try it for yourself.MiriamT said:No. Many new users have their first interaction in the forum by creating their own (new) topics, but the restriction does apply in posting links (to avoid spam), giving ratings...
Addendum: and those aren't new features. They were already in place when I first used this forum, back in 2008.