New to EVE-Online?

So your friend just brought you over to EVE from GuildWars, WoW or other MMO?
No idea how to start out with your new character?

Warning: This game's difficultylevel is ULTRA-HARD. WoW and those other games are EASY in comparison.

First of all it's important to point out EVE is completely different to any MMO out there. One of the greatest difference being the risk in gameplay. If you get shot down there arent any "ressurection" or instant "items back".
It's important to plan your gamestyle.

People can shoot you anywhere, and they eventually will. Even if there are some very powerful safeguards in place called "high security" systems.
They are mainly there to provide a safer place of trade and commerce, to protect players from constant harm. But beware, there is nothing as complete safety even here. These systems are generally considered to have low reward vs risk.

Some people form suicide attacks in these systems on weak ships carrying expensive loot which makes it worth dying for.
Low-security systems have less countermeasures versus battle-activity, but these systems often provide greater rewards if you plan on living there. Also, social-engineering and scamming is something which a portion of players live from. Always have in mind that the player you are trading with might be trying to trick or scam you. Never "lend" ships to people you do not know, never lend isk to people who cannot provide safety for his loans.

The first ship you have in EVE is a so-called "noob-ship" as commonly abbevriated, also called "Rookie ship". These ships come for free if you die and lack other ship in the station you dock at.
- There are two stages to dying, one being if you lose your ship. The second if you lose your "pod".
Always remember to have an updated clone! If you get podded, you need to get yourself a new clone.

In EVE you will find yourself with a variety of professions to chose from, everything from being a miner to a cut-throat pirate (such as myself *grin*).
One of the first professions you will most likely get acquinted with is the one of mining. It's relatively safe in high security systems and there's always demand for ore. Another profession is hunting NPC "rats" in belts. (Note: these are not to be confused with player rats/pirates)

"Bad/Evil" NPC's often have a bounty which you can claim. Higher bounty => tougher NPC.
Once again, do NOT confuse NPC with players bounty.

*Sidenote: Many players have bounty and low-security. Most of the times these players arent very "lewt" at all, cause they put the bounty on themselves to be able to "brag". Of course, this is just tricking themselves since they will most likely stay in high-security space for all eternity for nobody to ever claim these bounties.*

A couple of example professions (fun-level according to me):
High-security Mining (*) - low isk-yield unless done in a big scale operation.
Low-security & 0.0 mining (**) - high isk-yield if done properly. High risk of disturbances from other players and NPC's.
Hauling (*) - medium isk-yield if you find good payers and traderuns.
NPC-hunting (***) - high isk-yield if you hunt tougher NPC's.
Market-trade & Escrow-deal hunting (**) - high isk-yield if you know what you are doing. T2 bpo's often mean certain isk-yield
PVP non-piracy (****) - low isk-yield unless you kill big things.
PVP piracy (*****) - medium isk-yield, very high risk of dying and losing out.
Corporation-management and organisation (****) - low isk-yield unless you find good people for your corporation
Scamming (*) - low to high isk-yield

With all professions you will have to start out small.
Money makes money, as people say.
Example: frig -> hunt small NPC's until you have enough isk for a cruiser + insurance. Low isk-gain per kill.
cruiser -> hunt medium NPC's until you have enough isk for a bigger ship.. and so on.

There are a couple of SUPER isk-yield professions such as the tech2 BPO-owner.
If you got a T2 BPO you can either sell it off for high isk instantly, or try making isk over longer time.
Most likely either way you will make good isk.

The most important thing of all, is to find good friends.
Solo:ing EVE-Online is hard, but with a couple friends this tough game will be a little less tough.