i usually build my first tent near modoc.
the advanced workbench, lots of brahmin encounters and wood and fibers seem to crop up more in that area.
the NPC's are killable and a good place to get a shotgun and shells.
a place to sell armor and misc items.
second tent around geko.
it is a good area to pick up hunting rifles and ammo.
sell apples to the barkeeper and small arms to skeeter in the north side of town.
nearby ruins for junk and footlockers and a mine with HQ materials.
third tent between modoc and geko.
all that good stuff is no good if you die.
and die you will.
these mines and towns are unprotected, so when you get a pile, dump it in a safe place asap.
when you go to town to craft/shop, first go in naked and empty, to check for PKers.
when you leave, close any doors you have opened.
this way you know someone has been to town since you were last there when you come back to do business.
if a door is open, find an out of the way place, close to the edge of the map and not too far from the exit grid.
drop your treasures and check it out.
if the coast is clear, pick your stuff back up and do your business.
if you die, sneak back into town and you may be able to save your stuff.
when you walk into a store, close the door behind you.
that way if someone walks in, you will hear the door open.
then you get to decide to run, hide, die or say hi.
when starting off, RUN, like the blue mouse you are.
personally i start off with a crafter, but one who can fight medium NPC.
then build a fighter.
use the fighter to process raw ores and minerals to level them up.
use the crafter to supply the fighter with gear.
then hunt the pricks ( the PKers from the list you made) and have no fear of loosing gear.
lets say you walk into a TC town and get "reloaded" by the faction in charge.
all you wanted to do is get a perk or go shopping.
once you re-spawn go right back.
naked and half dead.
and die again.
and again and again.
once in broken hills i did that.
the TC guard complained to me about me coming back.
your using up my ammo they said.
so stop shooting me i said.
they didn't.
and i didn't stop.
i got my perk.
i don't know if they gave up, or if i was just lucky in my timing.
at one time i had 3 or 4 players douching me from rockets to gattling lasers.
all of them wasting ammo on my bluesuited, half dead self.
one poke from a spear would have done me in.
i think they were getting more ammo.
BBS is not known for letting folks get a leg up, unless you are BBS.
if you have a safe place close to a town, do not go directly to your safe place.
sometimes the warning that you are being followed has a lag.
pick a spot close and wait a few seconds.
kick them off if need be.
then go home alone.
anyway that is my starter advice.
pm me if you have any questions/answers.
have fun