Welcome to the game. Unfortunately, I'm on the NA servers. Anyway, AE is Architect Entertainment, a virtual cyberspace of user-created missions. Both Mercy Island and Atlas Park will have one as a green dot on your map when you press 'M.'
Welcome aboard.
I wish I could help you with channels to suggest but most of the ones I subscribe to are roleplay or badge hunting orientated. I'm certain that there are some general channels but I can't recall what they are off of the top of my head.
Regarding AE arcs, as stated, they're player made arcs. About this time last year, there was some exploitation of the system which made levelling very, very easy. However there were a number of adjustments made and now it's less of a problem then it used to be. It's still perfectly possible to level to 50 in the AE (some people, like myself use one dedicated toon to play other people's story arcs) but from what I can see, it's calmed down a lot recently.
However, you're definitely coming at this with the right attitude. CoH is not a game with an excessive amount of end game material, the fun comes from the levelling and the game as you get there. So not rushing to 50 and just enjoying the ride will definitely get you a better experience.
I hope you enjoy your time and if you need help, just holler. We've got a very helpful community here who love to help out. Welcome. 
@Dante EU - Union Roleplayer and Altisis Victim
The Militia: Union RP Supergroup - www.themilitia.org.uk
thank you Dante I am sure I will be in touch at some point. I am hoping that, like you said, I will find this server friendly due to the low population.
I was wondering, in my random exploration I found a npc talking about the hero corps, what is this? I think it asked me if I wanted to change the level I fight that, etc.
Is there any other advice you could give me? I was partying with someone and they recommended getting the hover ability from the third power pool set. As a healer I was going to get the leadership powers, but i guess a travel power would help more? I guess I am spoilt from my brief time in Champions Online where you got a travel power quickly.
Dave
Welcome Dave to the game and forums
I can't help you about Union as I'm on Defiant.
But I would suggest finding and joining an active Super Group as a first step
As for Hero corps. Stick with normal levels until you feel that you need more of a challenge.
But more then anything have fun
Happy to be on Defiant.
Global name @mereman
Member of P.E.R.C. Representing Defiant
Alts http://cit.cohtitan.com/profile/4488
CoH faces http://faces.cohtitan.com/profile/mereman
The Hero Corps representatives are there to adjust your difficulty settings if you feel the need to. You can change how many levels higher than you your foes are and how many there are by telling them how many heroes you are equivalent to (larger teams cause more enemies to spawn).
As for Hover, it's up to you what travel power you choose but I like my Flight. If you're playing a support class (e.g. a Defender, the most common to get called healers) then you may not have many tools to help 'manage' the enemies and so can get overwhelmed by them. Hover gives you a little bit of Defence but most usefully, it means you can float out of melee range. Melee attacks tend to be stronger than ranged ones so by keeping out of the way, it can help save your butt occasionally. You may want to give it a couple of slots for Flight speed though as it can be a little slow at first.
If you are planning on the Leadership pools, they are a good choice for Defenders as they get the best values from them and teams will love you for them. However, they can cost a lot of Endurance to run so make sure that you get Stamina from the Fitness pool first (will require two of Swift, Hurdle and Health to access at level 20).
@Dante EU - Union Roleplayer and Altisis Victim
The Militia: Union RP Supergroup - www.themilitia.org.uk
I'll put a word in and vouch for Onions friendly community. Pretty much everyone bar me will help you with whatever you need.
I'm the guy every body hates because they don't like being slapped about in PvP or being told things straight. So when you hear about how bad i am, it's probably true.
If you do decide to get into PvP when you're settled and have a few months under your belt, i'm the guy to ask
CoH PvP SG = SuperUnion - Co-Leader - Union/Freedom
CoV PvP VG = Disruption - Co-Leader - Union/Freedom
Global = @Rent & @Rent.
Playgroup are all **** - Global Handle
You could join Salsbadgehunters on Union you will find some nice folks there also Defiant Events a great bunch of folks there if you make toons on defiant then you will always find someone running some thing welcome to the game take it slow and enjoy it I do and I,m now a 45 month vet
Prof Radburn controller,Celtic Ice Maiden,blaster,Miss Knockout scrapper,Mistress Davina controller,Stone Hart,tank Split Personality PB.Queen Lostris controller,Fridgid Mary blaster,Shocking Fire blaster Future Elfling defender, Little Weed controller,Capo Angelo MM, Commander Buzzsaw MM, Justice Tank tank all 50,s
Welcome! I'm happy to see more people join :-)
I'm only about a week in, but bought my retail key and am loving it. There's a great community on here...
Anyway, have fun, and invite all your friends!
Hi Everyone.
I have an ongoing thread in the player help forum, but I thought I had best post one here too seeing as though I just bought the game. A bit early I know but hey, lets hope I enjoy it! I know the server may be a bit empty but at least one more person is here now eh!
Now that I am going to be here for awhile, I thought I had best seek out a supergroup, or at least meet a few players here. Is there any custom chat channels I should join or things of that nature? I also read that many players just rush to 50 using something called AE missions? What are those, and I am not too keen on rushing anything as from previous experience I know it can ruin the enjoyment of a game.
Anyway, hello server!
Dave