new to this site, best place to start?

I've been sifting through the forum topics and help section but can't find the topic of where to start.

I have no idea how good or bad I am.  I have played against the computer and win once in awhile, but usually get beat.

I don't want to jump in somewhere and get people upset with not knowing how things work, yet I want to play.  I'm slow on moving but not dead in the water either.

So where / how do I get started?  I'm sure this has been asked before, but darned if I can find it now.  Well, that's because I'm still learning my way around here.

Can I get my feet wet with out being rated at first, or should I get rated right off?  I'd actually like to be rated as to know where I am now and compare that to a year from now.

well you'll get a rating by playing.

Just play a few live games.

Play - > Live ches -> Hit the big orange button that says 'play live chess' -> choose a time setting you like (10 mins or 15|10) and play other people.

The more games you'll pay the more accurate your rating becomes and the more even the competition will be.

Have fun!

just play some games to fnd out how good you are

ok, then that's what I'll do.  Just wanted to make sure that was where to go first.

Thank you!

Also check out online games, (as opposed to live)

Ok, first game played, got my clocked cleaned.  Is there a way to have the game signal when your in check? 

Also, it became obivous that I was at his mercy after losing most of my pieces, is there a way to resign so he gets his points, but I don't have to just run for my life.

You can hear it when you are in check, the computer will give a "check sound". You resign by pressing the resign button to the right of the game, where the draw offer button is as well

Also, I'm not quite sure how I ended up getting into that game if the first place.  I clicked on Play, took me to a new screen and started a game.  I thought I was to pick a player or game type.

i would recomend not doing live.You should play online instead

i can send you an unrated challenge to you if you want

The first thing a newcomer should do on Chess.com is to look at the forums and look at "trolls". Then, they should play some chess.

i can't send you a challenge, try sending me one or change your settings to let me do so

Snar,  I sent a challange, 3 day game.  I am guessing that once the game starts, we can use chat to communicate. 

Start 10 online chess games, play some 15 [10] games on live and you'll improve quickly.

Enjoying the game is the key to success. 

Thank you all for the advise.  I got some very good advise and some links as to help get me started.