I'm not a newbie - I'm pretty much a veteran by now, mining, buying, holding, believeing since May 2011. But I'm a lurker, not a poster, and I have to post a few messages to leave newbie status, so here goes:

You're new to bitcoin; should you buy one?

Bitcoin might very well lose all its value, so don't buy more than you can afford to lose.
I'm confident than in 10 years, there will be something like Bitcoin around: cash on a wire.
It might not be Bitcoin - perhaps Lightcoin, or something else (Bitcoin 2.0)
If it is Bitcoin - a decent chance - they collectively have to worth in the 100s of billions to be useful.
If so, each Bitcoin will be worth 10s or 100s or thousands each.
If not, it's probably because they're worthless.
To help BItcoin, don't just hoard, but use them.

My 2c.

  -- Kjakman