Quite a few JMS questions

(Sorry in advance if I'm posting this in the wrong place. I don't use forums often.)

So I decided to (kinda) quit GMS for JMS, because of all the good things I hear about it. While it's downloading I thought I'd ask a few questions:

1. Is the keyboard layout the same as in GMS? If not, what keys are what?

2. What is currently the best equipment? I saw a video of a Lvl. 200 wearing Timeless/Reverse gear, so that makes me wonder.

3. Which server has the most English speaking players? Okay I've seen a few responses to this but most of them say differently, so I'm confused.

4. I will have absolutely zero funding/mesos, so do I just pick up everything and NPC it? Or is there a simpler way?

5. In relation to KMS, when does JMS usually get it's updates? (Also what anniversary year is it on?)

6. I plan on making an explorer, which will be a mess considering I don't speak the slightest bit of Japanese. So which text options do I select for which classes?

7. Is NX more expensive/cheaper in relation to GMS? I'm really poor, so it won't affect me much either way, but I'd be better off knowing.

8. Is there an up-to-date JMS training guide? Because I can't find one.

Well that's all I can think of right now. If I think of anymore, I'll be sure to ask them. Anyway, thanks in advance for any help you can give

Neighbour's grass always looks greener heh.

JMS and GMS are mostly similar except for some CS/ CS item properties, so whatever guide in GMS that works for you will be the same as what you would be using in JMS.

So I decided to (kinda) quit GMS for JMS, because of all the good things I hear about it. While it's downloading I thought I'd ask a few questions:

1. Is the keyboard layout the same as in GMS? If not, what keys are what?
No, the keyboard is not the same. I do not have any screen shots anymore as I quit JMS about 3 years ago, but I remember some things like, by default, P opens the keyboard layout. However, with basic understanding of Katakana and understanding of how to pick apart Kanji, you can easily find out what is what.

2. What is currently the best equipment? I saw a video of a Lvl. 200 wearing Timeless/Reverse gear, so that makes me wonder.
It's probably the same as in GMS, honestly. Of course, I haven't kept up with the game in forever. The last one I remember being the strongest was Tyrant or the Sweetwater set. However, it really doesn't matter in JMS. People don't put as much pressure on you to be cream-of-the-crop strong. However, the last time I played the game, Empress gear was really cheap and was only getting cheaper. I imagine they're not hard to get anymore. This is the gear my level 193 Viper and 186 Hayato used and I did perfectly fine.

3. Which server has the most English speaking players? Okay I've seen a few responses to this but most of them say differently, so I'm confused.
None play anymore, honestly. I believe I was one of the last to go. Even while I played, 99% of the time between January, 2009 to early 2013, there was only myself online. Of course, this changes when there are major patches, but mostly people don't play JMS because to connect, you need to find alternate methods. You may strike some luck and find someone in the Azusa (this was formerly Keyaki) server. I would honestly suggest start studying the language and make some Japanese friends. Even when there are English players, they don't tend to stick around, so your best bet of getting anywhere is to make Japanese friends.

4. I will have absolutely zero funding/mesos, so do I just pick up everything and NPC it? Or is there a simpler way?
Yes. That's pretty much it. Find items and NPC it. If you find something lucky, you may strike it rich. I can't say what may be an easy sale or a good income for Mesos anymore. Maybe try taking full advantage of the various events always going on. That's how I typically did it.

5. In relation to KMS, when does JMS usually get it's updates? (Also what anniversary year is it on?)
Around the same time as GMS. Nexon is pretty slow to localize things, so it happens several months afterward at best. The anniversary takes place in late September/early October and they're on the same anniversary year as KMS, only a few months behind.

6. I plan on making an explorer, which will be a mess considering I don't speak the slightest bit of Japanese. So which text options do I select for which classes?
冒険者 is what they are called. If you want further information, I can try helping with that.

7. Is NX more expensive/cheaper in relation to GMS? I'm really poor, so it won't affect me much either way, but I'd be better off knowing.
That depends on who you buy it from. There is no way to buy it directly, as Nexon does not accept non-Japanese credit cards, but you can buy WebMoney from places like Suto Corp. At Suto Corp, ¥1400 would be the cost of 1,000 Nexon Points. Web Money is generally up charged, so you're spending an extra ¥400 per 1000. However, in USD, that's about $11.80 total (varying depending on exchange rates). That said, 1,000 JMS Nexon Points is the equivalent of 10,000 GMS NX. As far as in-shop items go, it really, really varies. You would have to take a look at it yourself.

8. Is there an up-to-date JMS training guide? Because I can't find one.
Likely not, unless you speak Japanese. As I said, there hasn't been a strong English community in years.

Answers in bold.

Thanks! This will help me a lot. If I have any further questions, I'll be sure to ask.