Welcome to the board, Dang!!!
I hope you have been able to get out the east gate now! That tech tips thread is a wonder (put together by just the very best of regular techie posters on this board (BRAG BRAG BRAG) - they have saved so many players' games!! They're the best!!!)
Once you get the tech issues solve and start to get into the game, I think you'll find that it's wonderful!
Have fun and keep us posted on how your game is going!
Wyv