My Inaugural Steem UX Experience

For what it's worth (ha, ha) here are my first impressions of Steem.  I read the About page and watched the video. Interesting concept.  Can't say I'm an expert. Cognitively I get the idea. What's good curation anyway?   

Now for the experience.  A big empty screen that looks/feels a bit like Reddit.  I found trending posts on a whole bunch of different topics written by people I don't know (yet). 

On the functionality. I couldn't figure out HOW steemit really works... I know you either post stuff, which I did, (That was easy!) Forgot to add a photo, then saw that EVERYBODY always adds photos. A heads-up on that would have been cool. Then had to leave the screen to find categories as I didn't know how to lock in to the different topics. I wondered about hashtags as they show up in color.  Are hashtags used here? How?

ie Do you spend Steem? I could reply, which I did, but not vote (don't know why). Do I give Steem?  How do I do that. When would I want to do that? 

Then for the cultural steem experience. My initial thoughts...

You won't succeed here on your own steem. You need others to steem with you

Now for what to say and how to say it.  Everyone here is from a variety of backgrounds and interests.

Am I taking up too much steem?  Talking too much, not sharing enough?

What's the best way to steem ahead?  

Steemit on first impression is like walking into a big room where you don't know anybody, or their interests.  Introverts like me want to study it, trying to make sense of the way it works, trying to see the value, (like we need more content?) and what are the best kinds of connections to make here (so it's not a waste of time), what's the best way to add value (we all bring unique gifts and points of view).

What are people getting steemed up about?  (Steem is such a great name by the way.) Whales seem to be somewhat important in this.

That's about it for now.  I would appreciate a 'How-to' and some advice on what to share here. 

Then my mouse and screen froze. Thanks Windows 10.