Welcome Newbie.
All a ping is, is putting someones name, or lots of names into the To: box. Then if you don't have anything to say, you just say "ping" and that brings their attention to read the thread.
Since you are a newbie here is a link on learning how to do HTML. After studying it you will be able to do color, post pictures, etc.
HTML Cheatsheet
After you open this thread scroll down to where you find the words bookmark, then click on the word and it will save this thread to your bookmarks so you can find it in the future.
Since you are a newbie I will also FreepMail you this message so you will see how FreepMail works. Have fun learning.