am I missing something? because the reply button simply appears as text.......Do I get reply priveledges after a given time?

To my understanding, threads or posts that are pinned up, are guidelines to the forum, not subjects for discussion, or further discussion, that is why you can't reply.

thank you. I havent used many board servers besides ezboard and big board, usually a pinned post is just always going to be at the top of the page until it gets unpinned.

The post in question is also a locked post. It is pinned as it is a "must read" for those who would ask the question, but likewise it is a statement of fact, not open to discussion.

It is common practice here to lock threads when they are either without need of response, should not merit response, or have simply had every reasonable response possible. The "pin" icon simply preempts the "locked" icon in this particular thread.