'Leecher detected'

[font=-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, inter, roboto, "helvetica neue", Arial, sans-serif, "apple color emoji", "segoe ui emoji", "segoe ui symbol"]So I tried to unlock a file, but I've been hit with a 'leecher detected' accusation. It reads:
[/font]


It seems like you only signed up to leech. We have a strict no leeching policy. Contribute something or make quality posts in order to unlock stuff.



Fair enough, the forum wants you to contribute rather than just downloading stuff. But in all honesty, I don't think I have much in the way of files that anyone on here would get much benefit from. However, I've also seen reference to the idea that files aren't the only way to contribute- 'being active on the forum' (presumablymaking good conversation, starting threads etc.)can also suffice to stop you being called a 'leecher'. Also fair enough. (I can't remember where I saw this, think it was on another thread- also 'make quality posts' implies something like this).



The trouble is, I have no idea what they actually mean by 'being active'. Is it just making replies? Does it have to be making newthreads? Is it just a crudetime limit, whereby a guy who's been here a year and made 1 post saying 'thanks' is considered less of a leecher than someone who's been here a monthbut had many rewarding and engaging conversations?


[font=-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, inter, roboto, "helvetica neue", Arial, sans-serif, "apple color emoji", "segoe ui emoji", "segoe ui symbol"]Any guidance would be much appreciated- I'm new here, and trying to figure out how it all works.[/font]

participate in the community, Don't come here to just take scripts and such. Provide something weather or not its a conversation or something useful.

Yeah, I understand the general idea. The trouble is that 'participate in the community' is really unspecific. Ultimately, I do actually want to download files- while I'm happy to participate, fundamentally the reason I'm here is not for conversation. So it'd be helpful to know if e.g. I have to be here a year or start 1000 threads before I can download anything, because in that case I'll just look elsewhere. Whereas if it's a reasonable level of participation, I'll just hang out on the forums a while and hit the level, and probably stick around after.