Ok, so this is kind of a loaded question. My family thinks that D&D is stupid, so here I am, asking questions. Let it be known that I'm extremely new, and I'm talking about the board game D&D, the one you get around with your friends, and there is a dungeon master. And that right there is all I know about D&D.
How do I start playing D&D? What equipment do I need? I see booklets everywhere online, and I'm just not sure how to play. So... how do I play?