Observe-adopt-learn-react
This is what I follow when I want to become a part of something. Since you have just started and you are willing to become a part of the community then my suggestion is to give it a slow start. It is time for you to observe and adopt with the environment. As the time goes by, you will be learning stuffs. You will understanding what is going on in the community, where are the gaps, how to fill them etc etc. React then.
Remember it's a learning curve. Don't make it too hard for you, take it easy.
I assume by now you have gone through some of the rules and stuffs about the forum, if not then consider reading some of the stickies on the meta and this board, especially...
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1689727.0https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=178608.0https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=703657.0https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2766177.0https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=497545.0 <== important to secure your account.
Keep an eye on the meta board. We always talk about forum issues in there.
Do high post views n replies matter?
It is relative. For some it does not matter for some may be it matters. To me it does not matter.
I have asked questions and posted responses following the set protocols but on two or three occasions it was removed, I was convinced I was contributing but seemingly I have not, so I want to be clear on what is really expected when the forum says, we need to contribute. Thank you.
If a reply is off-topic or any other reason to get deleted then you will receive a message from the system. Sometimes the mega threads get deleted and if you have posts in there then yours also will get deleted, in that case you will not get any message from the system. Avoid posting on mega threads.