Here is my version of MMORPG 101:
1) Keep everything you find and loot everything you can. Almost everything is worth something to someone and you will never be more cash poor then you are at the very beginning of the game. Take every opportunity to sell off your hard won goods to the NPCs you find who are willing to buy from you. Begin to generate cash flow as soon as you can... you'll need it soon enough!
2) Talk to every NPC you can find. (especially those with a feather or a red book over their head) They will offer you all kinds of odd jobs to do for them and will pay you with money, goods and experience for completing these tasks.
3) Pay attention to (read) all the pop up windows that you find, (like the small square boxes with purple question marks) don't just get rid of them to get them out of your way. EQ2 has a wonderful system for teaching the beginning player everything he needs to learn while on the starting island.
If you think you have already missed some important information, roll up a new character and start over. Consider the time spent a learning experience and not a "waste" and remember that as you become more experienced, you'll be able to go from a new roll out to level 8 in about an hour!
4) Don't be afraid to ask for help when there is something you don't understand or think you can't handle alone. Use the /ooc chat channel to ask questions. You'll be surprised at how many people will be happy to explain something or just help you get it done. (all in all, we're a pretty nice bunch!)
5) Grab a notebook or a legal tablet, keep it with you when you play and write things down when you discover them. Then, until you are comfortable with these concepts you can refer back to your notes.
Good luck and welcome to EQ2... you have landed in the best MMO on the market!
And one more thing... don't be afraid to come back here and ask us anything at any time. We all started out just like you!
EDIT:
(Curses! beaten to the post button by "Calthine the Quick"!!!)
Edited, Apr 15th 2008 5:01pm by OldBlueDragon