As the title says. Optional, ofc.
TL;DR: just skip the rest, nothing you don't already know in there
Suppose Average Joe's normal life-cycle in a MMO goes like this:
- Getting used to settings and UI
- Exploring the world
- Running into questions you can't quite figure out on your own
- Optional: getting [slightly] pissed off
- Looking for the answers--may include support, the forums or joining a Guild
If you can see many helpful posts from people from a certain Guild, you might want to join that Guild. I mean, if that's what you're looking for, people who know stuff.
Likewise, if there's other stuff you're interested in (PvP, boss fights, crafting, etc), posts on those topics might give you ideas which Guild is right for you.
Yes, I know, many cool people never write anything on the forums. Known a few people like that myself. Well, it's just an idea not some miracle cure, obviously.
So... You're still here, reading? Nice, thanx!