So you just finished your Ingress Training, what's next?

Congratulations! You are a bright shiny +Ingress n00b. Whether you're a toad (enlightened) or a smurf (resistance) you're still a n00b nd there are a few things you should do before you try and conquer the world.  These are my suggestions based on experience that really have nothing to do with the mechanics of the game.

1) Realize that this game is closed Beta which means that there are bugs and glitches and you've just signed on to help make the game better, if you do find bugs they can be submitted at http://support.google.com/ingress click contact us and select the appropriate action.

2) Announce yourself in Faction COMMs.  This will let other players in your area know you're there and if there is a presence in your area they can tell you how to get involved in that community.  And often these groups will help you understand how to play.  

To announce yourself: In the lower right hand corner of your client there is a tab that says COMM.  When you first open this chat you are in All COMM which means both toads and smurfs can see what you post.  Up at the top of the tab you'll see the words All and Faction click on Faction and type your message.  You will probably screw up more than once and say something intended for Faction in All, it's okay everyone does it and the COMM can be a little glitchy sometimes.

This is usually a better way to find people in your area than announcing yourself in the Ingress Community because not everyone watches that.

3) Check out www.ingress.com/intel this will allow you find out what portals are in your area.  If you live in a major metropolitan area than finding portals shouldn't be too difficult but if you're in a more rural area you might not see all that many.  If you don't see many portals it's okay more portals are being brought online all the time and you can submit new ones, it does take time for submitted portals to come online but this is a new game and you're comitted to making it better right?  To submit a new portal follow these instructions http://support.google.com/ingress/answer/2808254?hl=en

One final piece of advice n00bs:
Just because you can create a link doesn't mean you should  Sometimes factions will make long links to mess with the other team but if you are new to the game when you see you can create a link you'll get very excited and want to do it.  Slow down, breath and maybe ask in Faction chat if it makes sense.  Otherwise you might really annoy high level players on your team who are already trying to build something.

But no matter what HAVE FUN!!