dont worry mpro everythings gonna be alright. i just recently started too.
lejis right though, just click the chat box then type and everyone around you (not the entire area, see \"/shout about that ) will get the message.
but theres more \"complicated\" chat such as:
/say (whatever you have to say to a single targeted person goes here)
/group (your message is sent only to fellow group members)
/shout (basically the same as normal chat, except your message is also sent to people farther away that would be close enough to \"hear\" your message)
read the players manual to learn about them and other important aspects of the game such as walking, fighting, running, etc.
(and no im not trying to be harsh....)