Pirates - the newcomer's reaction.

[driftwolf]

...
Here's a quick advice; use a proper miner ID if you're intended to work as such. With a Freelancer ID, the droprate of the ores/helium (what ever you mined) is very low.
,,,

At the time I wasn't intending to "work as such". Was trying to build up enough capital to just get started.
The advice specifically given in at least one "beginner's guide" is to mine helium to start. ref: http://discoverygc.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=93181
I vaguely recall that being the advice I got when I started the first time. Which might have been before 2013 now that I think about it. Old brain, memory overflow.

I didn't do any mining the 2nd time around, I just did a few trades and used it to explore a bit. A bit too much actually, got caught by the Marne docking ring bug! (but all was made good).
Still working up to the largest cargo ship a Freelancer can use. Still exploring.

See you around and safe skies!

Well, not TOO safe, that'd be boring. :-,)