It's been a hard month. I'm not online enough and every time I read a post and have something clever today say it turns out denuseri, Oz, leo, or one of the other regulars has already said it. :P

Take your time to learn using the resources denuseri, Misschief, and others pointed you to. To reiterate what denuseri said, because it's really important: be careful. Be on the lookout for signs of predatory behavior. Don't let yourself be "separated from the herd." Move slowly and carefully with new people, and beware people who don't seem to have many points of connection with others. I don't want to make it sound like a pain in the ass, but being cautious and sensible is something good people will understand and approve of, and could save your life when dealing with bad people.