[MPDesignZ]

I have the same sort of set up on my forums in the past. They can register but they are not allowed to view the other forum areas until the read & post in teh rules thread. Here's how I set it up and it works quite well, no mod needed.

1) Make a new usergroup with the ability to view the forums you want them to view after they make that first post.
2) Make your registered members permissions where they can only view that one forum area that you want them to post in. Put your forum area in a category on its own.
3) Set up your promotion where they can be promoted from registered member to the member group you want to give access to the rest of the forum in. IE if they have to make one post then set it up to where after one post they are promoted to the next member group.

When they login that forum will be the only thing they see after they validate their account (if you have your board set up that way) They will have to post to gain access to other areas on your forums.

To give your current members access to the rest of the forums, click on prune/move users in your user menu. Select each member group and then move them to the correct member group if they hae at least 1 post.

As for the problem with your mails not being validated, do not move unregistered or those awaiting activation into this group. It kinda defeats the purpose if you want them to post before gaining access to other forum areas.

MP