Maybe you've just created a drupal.org account, downloaded Drupal, and have absolutely no idea what to do next. It's also likely that you've never worked with a CMS (Content Management System) before and it's possible that you have no prior development experience. You know that you want to build with Drupal and that you're committed to learning, willing to contribute, and want to get up to speed as quickly as possible.

I know that this was exactly the case for me and it is the case for many others. Every year, the Drupal community is flooded with new users who are eager and ready. There's no doubt that it can be intimidating from the start. Just hearing the list of basic requirements that Drupal needs to run can be enough to scare a novice user:

• Linux - the base operating system
• Apache - the software that serves web sites
• MySQL - the database which stores configuration
• PHP - the language in which Drupal is written

And this is just the beginning. Drupal has a plethora of fantastic tools and technologies that can send those who are brave running for the hills. The issue can quickly move from "How do I build this site?" to "How do I even get started?".

Let me encourage you that you are not alone. Drupal is an amazing and powerful CMS and becoming proficient with Drupal takes time, energy, and dedication. The good news is that there is a great Drupal community that is excited for you to learn and contribute and has provided resources to meet you where you are and help you progress along the way. These resources exist to ensure both your success and the success of Drupal. Like with any journey, if you have a map to help you along the way, you are more likely to get where you're going quickly and efficiently.