You don't need to have good equipment... Everybody here has said something that is true. What I liked most was Sensation's though. And Wizardry... Because I see it happen. >_>
Just be yourself... You'll make friends, then more and more. Unless you don't interact with people, I don't see the point of playing the game though, if you don't interact. If you do get popular... Don't become and idiot and abuse the fact that you're known. I've seen people become popular or stronger then they go and abuse their friends or exclude them. So, do what you will in a good manner.