I admit it I am a total newbie. I have been trying for days trying to figure out how to do anything. I am only able to walk around it seems like. While that is fun to do in real life I had hoped to do more than just add to the scenery of the game. I can't seem to get out of the welcome center on corellia. Help me please before I lose all hope.! ;-)
This game is set around groups ("factions"). You should think about what you want to do and then apply for a job at the various groups.
Plenty of them have advertisements in the classifieds.
And: I strongly recommend that you read the "Guide for the first week".
http://www.swcombine.com/guide/index.php?page=7
To get out of the Welcome Centre, you are looking for a room with a different icon on the map (there'll be two - one of them is the control room, the other the entrance room). When you are in that room, you should have an "Exit" button on your travel options bar on the right. That will get you out into the city.
Beyond that, Vip offers some very good advice.
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"May the Grace of Ara go with you, and His Vengeance be wrought upon your enemies."