read several pages here and you will find a lot of the questions get asked about once a week.  Learn to use the search function on the boards.

Newbies should stay with well reviewed providers (a minimum of 5 or 6 reviews from veteran hobbyists--same thing, 5 or 6 reviews over time.  When you are ready to see your first lady, pick a MILF type rather than a hot 20-yr. old.  MILF's know how to help a guy overcome his hesitation about P4P.

Good luck.

But to simplify things, your best bet is to sign up with a prescreening service such asm P411, Datecheck or (if you are in the midwest) Room Service 2000.

You may want to take some time and read back a few pages on this board.  I am sure you will find other posts on the subject.

Also visit the self-help center.  Its on the right hand corner by the "life preserver."

You can also search for specific topics on this board.  There is a search header.

Good luck.

Dude . . . bro . . . Sinful1 hit the nail on the head ! I would just add . . . a few thoughts

1 get a hobby phone and a hobby email. plenty of good articles on these topics already here on the newbie FAQ

2 really read the newbie self help manual.  Not just skim it, but read it.  Then spend some serious time reading this newbie FAQ.  At some point you will accumulate a critical mass of knowldge and you will know what the conventional wisdom says on a given issue.  Usually the safest thing to do is go with the conventional wisdom.

3 Caveat, I am a newbie who follows the conventional wisdom, and thus far it seems to be working.