Scoping the neighborhood

Welcome to anyone coming here for the first time. I'm in the very difficult process of figuring out how this seemingly simple process works. Mechanically and socially this is a rough road. I understand the internet involves like everyone on, well,...Earth. And as I've jumped into the fray, I have read and met (virtually, so at least half of them could be in fact, ugly) incredible people.

So at least at this point I'm way open to advice and tips.