As you can see I'm new here too and I have to agree with Vaul, it's very difficult to anticipate for a new player.
Would be great if the older players just invited new players in and tell them what's going on inthere, even if they have to tell it over and over again.
I also think they could help new players get a role in the story by asking them what they are doing here and where they come from, so they can get their own role in the game.
It took me a while to find out you could see their story in the papers, didn't know it wasn't there to attack or something, so tell new players where to look for it, it will help them to get into the game.