Very new at chess and new to dot Com chess

I just recently joined and this is my first forum post. All I know about chess are the legal moves that pieces can make. Probably haven't played ten games my entire life but am now retired and so would like to learn the game. Working my way through lessons and doing some puzzles but I'm really terrible, so far. My first question is how do you go about playing another live person? I have played the computer some games. Advice?

First, go to settings in live chess and select the rating ranges where you would like to challenge people. +100 to -100 is a good starting point. Then you can click the play icon on the left of the screen. It will give you multiple time options, as you are starting, my suggestion will be to play rapid games of 15/10 or 30 minutes which will give you time to think about the moves. 

Good for you!  Learning new skills isn't easy but it's a great way to keep yourself sharp in retirement.  Those lessons that you're doing are a great introduction to the game; don't be afraid to redo any that you had trouble with.  Looks like you're doing OK with the puzzles and a lot of the pros say that's the fastest way to get better.  Playing another person is easy...Play>Live Chess and then the big orange Play button.  The default time is 10 minutes which you will probably find to be a little quick.  Just above the Play button is another one that says "10 minutes" with a little upside down triangle that indicates there is a menu underneath.  I'd advise 15/10 for your games.  The 15 is how many minutes you get; the 10 is called an increment and means you get an extra 10 seconds every time you move.  Or you could try a Daily game where you have, literally, days to make your move.  You can also check out DBs (the Explorer), videos and books to help you make your moves (no asking the computer for help though).  Lot of folks like to play like that when first starting out so they don't get killed right out of the opening.  Have fun and good luck!

Welcome to the site, I hope you will have a great time improving your game. You've already got the answer on how can you play other people.

Doing lessons here is great, as you have diamond membership go through all of them, and watch videos as well (as they are the point of diamond membership).

Here are some general advices on how to improve. I hope you will find them useful:

https://www.chess.com/blog/nklristic/the-beginners-tale-first-steps-to-chess-improvement

Improving Your Chess - Resources for Beginners and Beyond...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/improving-your-chess-resources-for-beginners-and-beyond

Scared to death but played my first live game. Fortunately for me, my esteemed opponent made more blunders than I did....and I pulled out my first win. So my rating went from 400 to 564. Maybe tomorrow I'll work up the courage to play another!

Congratulations on your first win. You also have an option of playing un-rated games here. They are purely for practice.

Well the only way to improve is to PLAY AND PLAY.. Analyse your every game after finishing it..

Try the puzzles( they are the best way to improve your tactical knowledge)..

Enjoy your play!

Just look at some lessons and continue to play puzzles and you will get better, learn a couple of openings and just play the game and you will be good to go 

Welcome!  Make sure to check out the guide lessons they are really really good!

https://www.chess.com/lessons

Welcome to the site!