Ships & Modules

I understand that I won't be able to haul huge amounts of loot in any frigates, but I'm looking for pointers on a low skill frigate that can haul some stuff (L1/L2 Distribution missions, shopping runs to the trade hub, etc) and is FAST as far as aligning/warping/etc so I'm not spending all day staring at an industrial umbering through space.

I can fly any race's frigates but I'm still working on my T2 fitting skills so assume T1 parts (metas only if it directly impacts speed). I can fit T2 cargo expanders but I'm not sure what that will do to the speed.

the tech one exploration frigates (the ones with scanner probe bonuses) all have big cargo holds. expanders lower your speed but it won't be an issue. fit as few as you need and stick damage control, nanofibre internal structures (these reduce your cargo a little) or warp stabilisers in the rest of the lows

midslots should be shield mods and a microwarpdrive. stick a prototype cloak in a highslot

Why not just use an indy ship. The blockade runners have a good 2k cargo hold and they align and warp quite quickly.
I am just assuming the align/warp time on the bigger indy ships are whats making you think of a frigate.

eh pretty sure blockade runners are tech one... Amarr Sigil for example. Minmatar Wreathe.

I was sure their description described them as blockade runners... either way. the tech 1 sigil or wreathe align and warp fairly fast. with a decent hold before you start spending isk on more modules

[Nereus]
Lows
Inertia Stabilizers II
Inertia Stabilizers II
Inertia Stabilizers II
Inertia Stabilizers II
Inertia Stabilizers II
Rigs
Medium Low Friction Nozzle Joints I
Medium Low Friction Nozzle Joints I
Medium Low Friction Nozzle Joints I

Gallente Industrial 3
Spaceship Command 3
Evasive Maneuvering 3

Gives you a 4.5s warp time. All 5s I think it drops to 3.3s or so. One of the other fast indy haulers might be faster, this is just the one i'm familiar with.

As others have said, out of the T1 frigs the Magnate stands out, mainly due to the 4th low slot that can be utilized for more cargo.

Here is an optimal fit for your purpose that can be flown with your skillset.

[Magnate, MC1]

Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Expanded Cargohold II
Expanded Cargohold II

Passive Targeter II
Practical Type-E Ship Probe
Limited 1MN Microwarpdrive I

Prototype Cloaking Device I
Core Probe Launcher I, Core Scanner Probe I
Salvager I

Small Polycarbon Engine Housing I
Small Hyperspatial Velocity Optimizer I
Small Hyperspatial Velocity Optimizer I

Hornet EC-300 x3

This one will give you a 3tick warp time, a 4tick warp time with MWD, 8.64AU/s warp speed, MWD+cloak for lowsec with a small 234m sig and 650m3 of cargo space (which is perfect for mounting a double medium container setup, thus boosting your cargo bay to 780m3.

The rest of the mids and highs can be used to mount modules of your preference, I usually use this for spotter/looter duty when ganking miners so it has the appropriate modules for that job too. The loadout shown costs around 5mil isk rigged.

For runs to the trade hub - to buy a module or two, skillbooks etc - you can also use an attack frigate. These have a lot smaller cargo bay, but you shave off another second of align time (2 and 3), both with and without the MWD running. Its the fastest way to transport yourself around if you cannot fly an interceptor (btw train for them if you can soon, when the next expansion hits they will be sweet).

Hope that helps, cheers..C:

For rigging, you will need mechanics III, jury rigging III and Astronautics rigging I. You should have those today...
For the cloak, you need CPU management IV and cloaking I. You should really get your CPU management to V asap btw, it helps a lot with fitting ships. Its a tier1 skill too, meaning its very fast to train.

You don't really need the cloak if you are staying in highsec, but it would be nice to practice the MWD+cloak trick until you get proficient with it. If you don't know what it is, read here: http://wiki.eveuniversity.org/Cloak_Trick

Disregard the drones, they are for defensive purposes when running in lowsec.

Bantam. Great for L1/L2 courier missions...

I'm trying really hard to be disciplined and stick to my training plan. CPU Management 4 is in the near future, but there are a couple skills to get me into a T2 Thrasher I'm working on first.

Depends on the hull but for a frig, prototype works well.