Guild QuestionsFollow

Benefits ~Guild Status~ There are a number of items in game that require Guild Status or Guild Level to purchase, such as Status Housing.
~Help~ Guilds tend to be helpful to their members, whether it is advice, items, grouping for a certain quest you must get done etc. Your guildies are more likely to help than a random PUG. Also more likely to get a decent group.
Drawbacks ~You will likely be expected to put in a certain amount of effort to help the Guild gain Status/Levels. It may require monetary support (depending on the guild)
What to look for It depends on what you want. Are you looking to do all the end game stuff? Then look for a raiding guild. (this usually requires a fairly decent time commitment)
Do you have a family that can keep you from the game? look for a family oriented guild. Basically, decide what you want out of the game and look for a guild that is looking for the same.

You will not be expected to Always group with your guildies, but you will be expected to be available when a guildie needs help.(give and take)

A guild is a 'permanent' (or perhaps persistent is better) a Group is temporary.

AA'a are Achievement points for Ability trees. Here is a good explanation.
http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=348040

For swimming I have found scrolling forward into First Person view (you see only landscape, not the back of your toon) is VERY helpful. Then I just use the mouse to swim, just like walking.

Have Fun!!

When choosing a guild, you will have to decide just what you want from them and what you want to offer them. There are guilds that focus on raiding and instances and they would expect members to show up and join those events. (they don't tend to accept lower lvl members though) A lot of guilds are more "family guild" oriented, no emphasis on having to group with them all the time or having to raid.

Being in a guild most likely will make it more fun and easier, most guilds will have high lvl crafters, quest experienced players, you can find more people willing to group to do the tougher quests,...

I'm in a family guild myself, a smaller guild but lots of fun. I'm not one to constantly group with others, but we do group for instances from time to time.

Guild levels can determine several things: the higher, the better housing you can get, the better mounts you can buy.

Some guilds will have certain requirements: a weekly contribution (usually determined by lvl naturally, no point in asking a lvl 20 for one pp a week), grouping requirements,...

But just check the guild tool ingame, there should be a selection of guilds who are recruiting.

AA's are a very good boost for (at first) stats and they will give great spells and abilities later on. But the link by Toscah is a very good summary, one thing though, with the latest expansion, the max is 140 AA's now. (need lvl 70 before you get access to AA's over 100)

I have trouble swimming in 3rd person view. Try getting into first person, it helps.