Newly Awakened

I have recently awakened and I am seeking out those who might aid me within the Matrix. I am a 5th level Soldier available on Syntax. I know very little about my surroundings and could use a group to help me along.

 I am known as GeekPrime.

Greetings, and welcome to your new life.  Feel free to contact me in the simulation under the name Shinryu.  Also, should you decide that working with the Machines is in your best interest, please check out the following address:

www.mxowatchmen.com

And now, in the mean time, do you have any questions that I or others would be able to answer?

No real questions at this time. Most of the documentation via these boards has been sufficient to give me a grasp of what I should be training toward.

 I did have a couple of concerns however. Does the faction that I align myself with prevent me from grouping with other redpills who are opposed to my selected faction?

Also, what is a good way to acquire myself some equipment that would more benefit me than the standard clothing my RSI has now?

I did have a couple of concerns however. Does the faction that I align myself with prevent me from grouping with other redpills who are opposed to my selected faction?

Also, what is a good way to acquire myself some equipment that would more benefit me than the standard clothing my RSI has now?

As long as no one on the operations team is flagged for open combat (via typing /pvp, joining in PvP by attacking/healing someone who is flagged, picking up a luggable, etc.) there is no restriction for who groups with whom.  However, all non archival missions effect the reputation of all those involved based on the organization the leader has chosen to work for in that specific mission.  In other words, say you are a Machinist and are working with a Merovingian operative who has chosen to do standard or critical missions for the Merovingian.  Upon completion of the mission, your reputation with the Machines will drop as a consequence.  To avoid this, you can simply do archive missions with alternately aligned operatives as archived missions provide info, XP and completion tokens but don't effect your rep at all.

At early levels of awakening, the items gained from the neighbourhood collectors are quite useful.  Once you reach your tenth level of awakening, or a little after, you can start looking into the marketplace for clothing at your level.  Prior to that, you can still check the market, but you will find very little you can use or afford.  Also, you can always ask around to see if any of your contacts can make specific items of clothing for you.  The most experienced coders will often have a large variety of clothing for any level of awakening.