New article is the correct way to post a general new thread.
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Actually it's "Add new thread", this must have changed very recently.
Thanks! I still see "Add new article" on kbin.social and on fedia.io it is "thread" as you said.
All of the options in + except making a new magazine is creating a thread. The "Add new article" is equal to making a text thread.
You should be able to find some useful guides or info if you click "top" on the homepage, or go to /m/kbinMeta and click top to find some useful guides. Out of those this one should be a pretty helpful start.
https://kbin.social/m/kbinMeta/t/11493/A-small-FAQ-to-hopefully-help-new-users-to-kbin
I don't think there is currently a way to favourite magazines but you can subscribe to them by clicking the button on the side bar.