For the purpose of this first quest, "newb" is defined as mp3 or mp4 with less than 1 active year. I.e. not necessarily a true newb, but rather someone already acquainted with the game, so it's mostly geared toward advanced mp3s / early mp4s.
Closer to newb than to fossil. I don't think there's a specific term for it.
I checked out the locations indicated by the quest creator, and everything checked out for me personally. The bridge referred to isn't very large, but it's there. (I haven't done Ch. 2 at all yet, so I still have tents. )