Well, I think level 30 is just enough, and I am a newcommer (sorta) myself (been here for two weeks now, and less than a month more than a year ago)...
If you want to learn the basics of Freelancer, then you should play Singleplayer first (that is, after all, pointed out in the Disco rules, and for a good reason).
Yes, it is scary and disorienting, once the psychological <lvl30 barrier goes bye-bye, but what do you want, really? Being in full CODENAMEs fighter or BS with CAU8 armor before even leaving the dock for the first time?
Like you won´t learn walking without taking the step, like you won´t learn driving a car without heading out to the road for real, like you won´t become an admiral with his own ship without taking all the training prior in the army, you have to step outside the paladin-bubble (sorry for that >< ) to learn the game.
Imagine this was game was real (its a RP server, after all) - would anyone ask how long you fly before pirating you? Would anyone ask how good is your aim before shooting you down? NO. It is just you, or him. Survival of the fittest.
Let me give you one suggestion: if you don´t like being engaged in RP/PvP, don´t go to zones, where it is likely. Don´t go mine to Humboldt where it is full of money-craving pirates (and if your friend plays here for at least a while, he would know, so blame him ). Don´t fly to the border worlds. If you leave the "safe zone", you can NOT expect safety, now can you?! Do some trade runs in your core worlds, and learn the game by pieces. Don´t try to swallow it all at once, for you might suffocate!
Oh, and one more advice: If pirates ask you for a payment, pay... or you will die Simple as that!
). Don´t fly to the border worlds. If you leave the "safe zone", you can NOT expect safety, now can you?! Do some trade runs in your core worlds, and learn the game by pieces. Don´t try to swallow it all at once, for you might suffocate!