Hi. I just joined the forum and want to know if there is any vital information i should be aware of before engaging in the forum. Guidelines, places, who to talk to, etc. Thanks! 
Keeping it short is a good maxim, although it's one that I find very difficult myself. Having just spent some time on a post that now seems far too long, I wonder if I'll ever learn... That said, the opposite error of saying far too little can be very frustrating to people who might want to help. A clear but concise description of the problem should be the aim. A diagram is nearly always helpful as well.My opinion?
Go to user CP and write in vaguely where you live so we know where you can get parts.
Try to keep it short. If you need 500 words to ask your question, it usually indicates that you haven't thought it out very well. Good questions get good answers.
There is a range of styles, from simply practical to nit-picking detail, and everything in between. Try to keep the question long enough to indicate the style you want to work in and how much experience you have. If you kind of leave that blank, you'll get everything from simply practical to nit-picking detail...not that that's a bad thing. Your choice. Give us a clue.