I also am new, 1 month. I came here because I was getting so bored with the other games I was playing. They were all the same.
Love MD. I love to read and love to "click" things. Can get you in a spot sometimes but that is the greatness of MD. As for the quests, Sure it takes time to find thing and solve things but that to me is the whole point. I am currently doing 2 (one is at a standstill until I fight the Loreroot Guards which I cant yet) and the other has helped me immensely. Yes lots of reading (forum & archives) but it leads you to explore which leads to others thing. This to me is a well blalanced game of exploring, solving puzzles and RPing
The only thing I would suggest was to try to find a way to get noobs to get an adept as soon as possible. This is most helpful especially in story mode IMO. It would also help with the negative feelings in the beginning when they don't know which way is up
Ossa