Really? Joe the Mechanic disagrees.

Joe: "So... where do I get that free windows?"
You: "It's not windows, it's an operating system named Ubuntu."
Joe: "Right. So, where is it?"
You: "Just get online and go to Ubuntu.com"
Joe: "ew-bun-two? How do you spell that?"
You: "U-B-U-N, you got a pen?"
Joe: "... yeah, hang on a second... "
You: "Ok, like this. Go there, then just order the free CD"
Joe: "Nevermind dude, we're here."
You: "Where?"
Joe: "The store. We've been walking here the whole time you've been talking to me about this. I'm just gonna run in and pick up a copy of Windows. Be right back."
You: "..."

Hum, really? With the proper knowledge, you can specialize your character after only a few months of casual play to take on a 3-year vet, in certain situations.

Granted, you're not able to handle as many different situations as they are (duh, they have 3 years of combat training...), but the part you specialize in... well, that can be just as good as theirs. And usually lacking a few levels in certain skills only means 2-6% difference in performance for that area. Join a good solid corporation, and watch your back (griefing _is_ an acceptable and more popular way to play the game).

This game's social structure is much more important to the things that happen to you, than in most games. Just take a glance at all the scams and backstabbing that pops up here on /.

And if you like "tweaking" things, you'll love their system of outfitting ships with thousands of different parts, trying to find that "perfect" outfit. Highly recommended.