How to start making money as a trader/miner.

[ravel]

Hey all,

So any tips how to get started as a trader/miner.

I decided to start a free-play game. Trying not to go into battle unless I am attacted.
And now I wanna earn money to buy a ship.
What is a good way to start making money.
And what ship should be my first?

All tips are welcome.

[Black_Sails]

It seems the easiest way to first start making money in free play (since they don't give you a mining laser, I don't think) is to hunt around for the abandoned cans with the long range scanner, at the edges of the different zones.