This is a game where I really appreciate having a second monitor as I have a picture of the joystick model I use with all the functions labeled on it for when I play.

As for things to do without shooting - mining can bring in a good chunk of cash if you're willing to put up with the scoop mechanics, spending a good chunk of time figuring out which ore types are valuable and where, and a lot of trial and error as you try to remember which asteroids you scanned or not.

Exploring can net you some cash as well, though it highly depends on finding "good" planets or anomalies and knowing which planets to not even bother scanning. (And sometimes who to sell to - as certain planets may want to know about metal-rich planets vs. others wanting to know about Earth-like planets)

Granted, I haven't poked my head back in the game since... I guess February, so some of that stuff may now be easier and/or actually explained in game. Work's been too busy for me to be able to take a weekend playing space miner/explorer.

Last I checked there is a lot of info in the official forums with links to guides and such to help explain the more esoteric parts of the game. And I think people have been scraping data from the game to put on websites for things like mining or trading route optimization.