Astro you can be gold with 1 post. It's a $$ thing, not a post count thing
To go gold, just access the "user CP" at the upper left and poke around there. It'll cost you $25 a year.
I went gold for a couple of reasons. First, i wanted to post pics. Second, and most importantly, I have been visiting the forums several times a day for several years. I think I at least owe the forums 25 bucks a year for all the valuable knowledge and friendship I have gained. Supporting and giving back are lessons that the cantina taught me.
By the way, I was in your shoes not too long ago. I thought I'd never reach 500 posts. Now i have managed to shoot my mouth off like 1800 times
Then i look at Yvsa's post count who has almost 10 times what I have.
You'll get there, and we're glad to have you around.
Jake