Help me get in on this business

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8KB, 287x95px

I really wanna get into mining and all this crypto stuff but I still have no idea what to do. So here's what I wanna ask:

What programs, if any, do you all use to mine? I have minergate but it doesn't seem very good. (won't log me in)

If you don't use any specific programs how /do/ you mine?

And if I were to continue using minergate (which I probably won't) how do I join other pools than what's currently given in the program? What URL should I putting in here?

How exactly do I create my OWN wallet and store these coins?

I know making all this stuff is supposed to be hard to find to keep normies out, but I can't seem to find any resources made after 2016.
I'm sick of seeing currencies like eth jump up $100 in a week and being bitter because i wasnt part of that