Thanks for the tips perhaps I should just go online and check things out.  I wanted to get a grasp on the game first before going online but I suppose it doesn't matter much.  Maybe I'll find someone that can help me a little.  I am about to hop on probably do one more quest offline then jump online and see how things are. 

Another basic rule - almost EVERYTHING comes from defeating monsters and CARVING them. You get rewards for completing a quest, but its all about the carves you get from defeated monsters. Thats primarily how you get the specific upgrades you need for X weapon or X Armor.

Weapons - You can upgrade as many weapons as you want to, It doesn't matter. Im a hammer bro, but ive also got the Great Sword upgraded ok.  Just start with whatever you feel most comfortable using, which is usually the Sword and Shield combo (its quick to use and you don't need to compensate for timing your swings,etc). 

Question: This is my first Monster Hunter as well and I really liked it, should I bother buying the other Monster Hunter games (Monster Hunter 1,2, Freedom Unite, etc)?

I really can't get enough of this game, but are these previous games worth my time?

I find that the opposite is the case regarding online. I never really understand a monster until i've fought it offline, since a competent enough crew can compensate for your utter lack of knowledge (Royal Ludroth and Gigginox i fought online long before i was ready for them off, and it really didn't help at all).

Online is better for mining, but you're just so much more competent and confident when you know you can handle that monster yourself.

You don't need to know the monster, you just need to be around so you can carve the parts you need. My advice would be go to everyone welcome rooms, and just explain you're there purely to carve and upgrade. People don't mind.