When you first start, you need to read the help guide. It will teach you a lot about this game. Also there is a dark orbit "bible". Here is the link: http://en.board.bigpoint.com/darkorbit/showthread.php?t=168136
Use that and the help to help you along your way. Stay in the x-1 maps, there is no PVP allowed there.
Keep your starter ship. Use it to do low level quests in x-1 maps and generate enough credits to get your skylab going. If you must go in x-2 maps to mine, grab a cloak.
Skylab is key: you need to be making Prometid/Duranium and eventually Promerium to make credits. Transfer what you make in the skylab to your ship, sell it at the space station. Get a bigger ship and the cargo expander so you can transfer more to your ship.
Keep saving up for elite gear, and dont get too involved anywhere else unless you know you can run away (I recommend the mod that will make your ship go 10x as fast).
If you die, just buy your ship with credits, dont use Uridium.
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