Focus is simply your resource to cast/activate your special shots (Steady shot, arcane shot, etc.) It is your mana. It regenerates at a specified rate (est. 4 focus/sec). The regeneration rate can be enhanced via haste but that is a whole new topic.

As a hunter, professions can give you slight advantages to your dps (damage per second), which is your supposed role in a group. As it is your first character, I would suggest you pick a "gathering" and "crafting" profession. I picked Skinning and Leatherworking. Skinning gave me pluses on my critical hits and Leatherworking gave me something I could craft and use or even better, sell on the Auction house.


"Is the game hard on newbies, or are there some groups/guilds that take it in stride?"
For new players, this game can at times be very difficult, stressing and confusing. The stress you experience is compounded by the fact that in a group setting, there is a tendency to expect a certain level of performance from each member. New or not, some veterans will not care due to their experiences when they were new or screwed over by some other new player that ruined his/her game. Some people will give you advice, some will boss you around, some will even tell you to get out of fire.


Is there a Rafonaut guild? No, I don't think so.

I am a blood elf hunter as well. I can tell you of countless stories of adventure my pet experienced when I was ignorant and had him on aggressive mode and had growl turned on. I had to play dead and was abandoned by my pick up group (PUG).