GETTING STARTED
Minecraft costs $26.95 USD. If you want to purchase it, go to https://minecraft.net/en/store/minecraft, create a Mojang account, and then make your payment. Afterwards, you can either download and install the Minecraft game when prompted or you can download the modpack at http://www.technicpack.net and use it to play Minecraft instead.
If you are new to Minecraft, you should join a newbie friendly server. Do not attack anyone, destroy their property, or steal from them. That is a fast and easy way to get banned. Sure, some servers allow that, but always ask first.
BASIC TUTORIALS
Tip #01 - If you do not have any weapons, you should go inside of someone's house before nightfall or the monsters will kill you.
Tip #02 - Avoid quicksand at all costs. Not only does it kill you, but you will lose all of your stuff and not be able to get it back.
Tip #03 - Start off with wooden tools - swords, pickaxes, axes, and shovels until you acquire cobblestones and other rocks.
Tip #04 - The heart icons indicate your Health and the icons to the right of them are for your Hunger. You will need to eat or you will die.
Tip #05 - Beds are useful. You can only use them at night. If everyone on the server goes to bed at the same time, it will fast forward to daytime.
Tip #06 - If you chop a tree with an axe, the entire tree will come down. But if you uses your fists, you may end up with floating tree tops.
Tip #07 - Some animals provide resources other than meat. You should probably avoid killing certain animals like sheep and cows.