Users don't need upvotes to post and when they start they have enough RC (Resource Credits) to make at least one post, maybe in your case because you started upvoting and making comment you drained your RC and did not have enough to continue.

But I agree with you it's still an issue and that why there are communities and users willing to delegate to new users, users that are real and are here to contribute to the platform.

For what I understand this system is to avoid spam and abuse but I know there are initiatives to help users with some HP delegations to start. You created you account on a free service from esteem so that's why you did not have any HP at the beginning.

The best thing a new user can do to start on Hive is reach out to the community on Twitter and/or here on Hive. I know a lot of users that are willing to help.

And of course users that buy Hive (and power up) will be able to grow faster and have more advantages that someone who doesn't buy any. In my personal experience I did not have to buy any coins until the second or third month and that was because I wanted to invest and grow faster.