Overwhelming for a beginner

The world of Runescape is huge, and it's often overwhelming for a beginner. There's so much to do: you have to gain levels, defeat enemies, make money, buy new weapons and armor, the list goes on and on. However, you don't have to panic or feel lost. If you're a Runescape beginner, here are a few helpful hints to survive in this magical realm.
Before I begin, I just want to say that I've read some of the other Runescape articles (and I'm assuming you have, too). Many of them are about power leveling or making gold quickly. I'm not going to write on those topics, so if that's what you're looking for, you should go read those helpful articles.
My first tip for new beginners is to spend some time on runescape.com. The forums there are a great place to get help or learn about different quests and items. The website also includes a lot of helpful guides that explain everything from begging and cooking to where to start specific quests. If you can't find an answer to your question there, you can try sites like Sal's Realm of Runescape or head to a search engine.
Playing Runescape alone is fun, but a lot of players enjoy working with others. Not only is this a great way to make new friends, but there are some difficult quests in the game that become much easier when you work with a friend or two. To this end, numerous Runescape clans have appeared. The clans (groups of players) often go on quests together or host their own Runescape events, and new players can learn a lot from joining a clan. Likewise, most Runescape gamers are more than willing to help out a new player, so don't be afraid to ask other gamers for help.