I'm new and have server specific questions.

[LovelyRita]

I've been playing for about a month and recently reached level 10 RDM. I am currently attempting mission 2-1 and felt it would be easier to finish it in a party. I'm normally on in the evenings, East Coast time, there never seems to be anyone in Windhurst looking for a party. Anyone have any advice or tips for finding people? I appreciate any help. :)

[Icemage]

I've been playing for about a month and recently reached level 10 RDM. I am currently attempting mission 2-1 and felt it would be easier to finish it in a party. I'm normally on in the evenings, East Coast time, there never seems to be anyone in Windhurst looking for a party. Anyone have any advice or tips for finding people? I appreciate any help. :)
Best advice I can give you is not to worry about missions until you hit at least level 25, maybe beyond. Level 25 is important because it is the level cap for the battle in Mission 2-3, but even so gaining rank doesn't really do much for you until you hit rank 5 (and you'll really want to be level 35+ before you even attempt mission 9 for Rank 4, and 40+ for mission 10/rank 5).

At rank 5 you get access to the Airships. Before then, you really don't get much of any benefit from rank aside from extra time on your Signet and being able to purchase some ho-hum conquest point gears.


Icemage

[Nazo]

I'd say the best way to get missions done is to find a friendly linkshell. All the non-soloable missions I've done have been with my ls mates.
I'll happily help you with them if I'm on at the same time as you if you like, but I find it more fun to do these things with players of a similar level rather than being walked through it by a level 75.
As Icemage says level 10 is a bit early to be worrying about missions, I'd head to Valkurm Dunes and start playing in some parties and meeting people.

[Ameroth]

being able to purchase some ho-hum conquest point gears.

Though most of the gear is "ho-hum", some of it is actually quite helpful. And whatever gear that isn't particularily useful can usually be sold at a good profit (considering that they don't cost you anything but your time).