New Player (US) in Ragnarok/Eorea looking forANYONE2play/wmeFollow

Ok, so I got cut off on the Subject line, I am an old school gamer (33 years old) who loves RPG's (especially the FF series) yet have never played an MMORPG... I am 2 days or so in and am overwhelmed and am somewhat lost, really just have a ton of questions: how do I start a party? why can't I find anyone to join? how and where do I get/use Linkshells? how do I party chat? how do I get started making decent money? how do I level up stats, etc.? and so many others...

Ok, let me back up, my character information is:

Race: Hellsgate Roegadyn

First Name: To Put Forth Misery – Eomforthazr’roc

Last Name: Gate Of Hell – Grindabrhelsyn

Yet due to character limitations in-game my name is spelled: Eomforthazrroc Grindabrhelsyn

I am 19 hours into the game.

I am a Gladiator, yet haven't focused much on it yet as I have been traveling to unlock places to fast travel to (and to get fishing items, I started in Ul'dah) so I have unlocked all 3 main cities yet am still a low level (my highest level is 10 and that is in fishing).

Really I just want to enjoy a MMORPG as it is meant to be (helping people and being helped). I am a night owl, so am usually on in the evenings and at night, though I will probably be on for a little while longer this morning.

I created a Linkshell named Hellgate if anyone felt like joining, I guess I did it correctly...