The first thing you will have to do after installing warcraft is pick a server. I chose based off where my friends were, some people pick one with a cool name which is fine. Keep in mind that you must be on the same server to play with friends. It's important to pick a server type that fits you. Here is a quick rundown of the different server types.

Normal- Sometimes called PVE servers. On these servers players must flag themselves before they can be attacked by other players. You can flag yourself by typing /pvp or attacking a flagged player or npc or by healing a pvp flagged member of your own faction. If you join a battleground you are automatically flagged. Characters made on PVE servers are only able to be transferred to Normal or RP servers.

PVP- On these servers you will be flagged for pvp by entering any area that is contested or belongs to the opposing faction. Pretty much after level 25, expect to be flagged pretty much anywhere you might be leveling. This means higher level players can and will hunt you down and kill you for sport. Starting areas and capital cities are safe zones. It is considered to be more difficult to level on these servers due to being killed by enemy players on a regular basis but it is also a lot of fun to kill them back. Characters made on a PVP server can be transferred to any server using the paid character transfer service.

RP- RP servers are just like normal servers with the exception of an additional set of rules to follow. These realms are catered to players that want to "role-play" or pretend they are actually the characters on the screen. The rules seem to be loosely enforced but you are generally expected to speak as if you were your character and have a name that fits a Medieval setting. The complete rules can be found here. http://www.blizzard.com/support/wowgm/?id=agm01725p Characters made on RP servers are only able to be transferred to Normal or RP servers.

RPPVP- RPPVP servers are just like PVP servers with the exception of an additional set of rules to follow. These realms are catered to players that want to "role-play" or pretend they are actually the characters on the screen. The rules seem to be loosely enforced but you are generally expected to speak as if you were your character and have a name that fits a Medieval setting. The complete rules can be found here. http://www.blizzard.com/support/wowgm/?id=agm01725p Characters made on RPPVP servers can be transferred to any server using the paid character transfer service.