Crime & Punishment

Per the topic above, I am new to being a pirate, have read all sorts of guides and the evelopedia, but have no in-game experience. I've been mainly focusing on my other character in terms of skill training, but I am thinking about switching to this one for a while to change the pace. The corp mates of my other character have recommended I go to null instead of trying in lowsec as I planned at first. I haven't moved to null yet, but I am in lowsec.

Now here comes the questions:
1) Any tips on using the d-scan?

2) What are the benefits of joining/creating a pirate corp?

Any help is appreciated.

I want to do the classic pirate profession, tackling and ransoming ships and pods. Not really as moneymaking, but to have fun with it too.

Edit: Also establishing a corp to do this is one goal of mine as well, not necessarily a large one.

1. Tips on using d-scan

First, google it. Try the EVE University wiki for a basic rundown on how dscan works. Keep it open all the time and spam the scan button constantly so that you know who is nearby in space. Practice scanning people down in highsec until you have the hang of it. Also, be aware that it isn't really useful unless you have a decent overview setup.

2. Benefits of joining/creating a pirate corp
Joining a pirate corp would give you corp mates who hopefully have some idea what they are doing and could pass some of that knowledge down to you. It would also give you a group of people to fleet with and take down more interesting targets. Creating a corp, in the best case scenario would have the same effect. More likely, however, you would have a hard time attracting pirates who know what they are doing, or you would have a hard time discerning the guys who know their **** from those who don't. In the end, creating a successful corp is much harder than joining one, especially when you are new, and don't yet have a clue what is going on.

3. "Classic" piracy.
Piracy in EVE is a much more diverse group of activities than you seem to imagine. Sure, it is fine to go to lowsec, find somebody to tackle, and get them to pay ransom. Except that there aren't a whole lot of people flying around in non-combat ships in vulnerable positions in lowsec waiting to be tackled. When those people do show up, it tends to be kind of like somebody just tossed a mackerel into the shark tank. You may not have time to think about ransom before the competition arrives. Most people don't pay ransom anyway. If you are interested in piracy, don't forget to look into gatecamps, suicide ganking, corporate infiltration, ninja looting, and wardecs. There are a lot of options aside from "classic" piracy.

My approach to this is I'm gonna start small and then move on from there. Faction Warfare is debatable for a start at this point for me. Plus if I can join/create a good corp I think I could move on even faster. Thanks for the help so far, by the way.

Edit: I forgot to mention I am not worried about sec status.