We play on Steamfont (EvilGnomes - Steamfont - it's a theme), and it's okay. Someone mentioned one of the servers was down a lot, and I forgot which one... (Oggok? not sure tho) - wasn't Runnyeye or Mistmoor or any of the original overcrowded ones.... Well, they're all probably okay by now. I don't think any are overcrowded any more - the opening rush seems to be over.
Um... you don't need to do every stinkin' quest on the first place you go, the Isle of Refuge (IoR). Most of them aren't much worth it (do not waste time seeking feathers for that collection quest - the reward is pretty much junk - and the feathers are quite rare - trade for them w/ other players if u must finish it). Get your harvest skills up to 20 at least - that's easy to do. Do the Assistant Dreak quest in the basement of Malvonicus' tower - it gives ya a head start on tradeskillin.
Honestly - you don't need to do every quest. Why? Cuz when you get to FP or Qeynos you'll be doin' all sorts of easy quests for better gear - much better gear - and almost everything from IoR will be antiquated (you level so fast under lvl 10 that the early gear isn't much worth futzing over - sure, get some of it - but you honestly don't need all).
Mostly learn the HO (heroic opportunity) system, which u can use by lvl 5 or 6. Google "EQ2 heroic opportunity guides" or search this site for em - too much to explain here. Note that when you leave IoR you'll want to upgrade your spells/abilities asap (u can buy "apprentice lvl 2" upgrades in your new town, but not on IoR). Learn to make app lvl 3 upgrades if you want, or find and check Broker npcs to see if players are selling better upgrades (Adept 1 > App lvl 3). They are little scrolls or potions or cubes, depending on yer class - and u just rt click em and "scribe" to install the upgrade (which makes damage spells do more damage, heal spells heal more, etc. etc.).
Oh, once you leave IoR do work on upgrading all your gear. It's very important from that point on.
Well, that's my
. GL!