BF2 complete noob - help!

[Ernie]

OK guys

- got a new PC, installed BF2, played singleplayer on various maps, went online (omg, how disparaging, but nothing that I didn't expect with my experience of every new online game).

Any advice? Any noob servers about? Anything? 11 deaths last night 0 kills, because I couldn't fly a damn Plane or chopper off an Aircraft carrier

I read a tutorial today, so at least I know I can try and get myself invitied to a squad now.

What's with All seeing Eye and in game browser? I'm used to Quake III, where you refresh the server list on ASE and double-click - your in.

I have a mic, but to be honest, is it essential? Not too sure the wife wants me randomly calling enemy APC or ffs as and when. Just want some casual on line fun with similar people, not even fussed about this ranking business (done it with WOW pvp - not healthy in my eyes)

Thanks in advance of any advice. From a Quake III and WOW fugative

 

[Ernie]

11 deaths I thought that was pretty good. .

That was 30mins trying to get off the carrier in various Aircraft, not kills by the enemy

I think it was just a bad map all together for someone new - trying to get off the carrier with no flying experience first round and then the next round I was fighting for the chinese and chose and bad spawn point, hence running for miles as I wasn't in a Squad, now I realise I can ask for an invite to vacant places in Squads, and more tactical awareness of spawn points should help some. 'Invert Mouse' should help some too

 

[Ernie]

Next thing is - in game browser doesn't offer much except high ping, laggy, full servers, but all the servers on ASE seem to be version 1.0. I'm on the lastest 1.03 version.