I might buy Skyrim because I like RPG games like Fable, Fallout 3, Etc... But have never EVER played any of The Elder Scrolls games. So is it an easy game to get the hang of & learn quickly what to do. Also my dad likes Fable A LOT!! So I don't know if it will be frustrating for him to learn how the game works on his own. Cuz I hate explaining what to do & its frustrating to give walkthroughs to someone who isn't an experienced gamer.
Any thoughts, comments, Tips/ Strategies> that will help a first time player of this series, would be much appreciated.

Don't worry. TES games are like Call of Duty, they are intensely easy to pick up. However you already have Fallout under your belt so you shouldn't have any problems. Quite a few people get overwhelmed by the amounts of freedom and whatnot. The only question is, how deep are you willing to go? You can beat the campaign like that and move on or enjoy it for all its sidequest-y glory.

TES is what you make of it.. or is it life.. sometimes i get them confused

The game is designed to appeal to new players, you'll pick it up quickly, especially if you've played Fallout 3.

The class system that the other TES and Fallout games had aren't there anymore, you build your skills as you play. So starting the game is as simple as picking a race and then going off and doing whatever you want.

No.

It has the openness of Fallout, the main plots and multiple subplots. And the same superb level of atmosphere as Fallout 3.
Just uses bows and pointy metal things instead of bang sticks, and Dragons rather than Super Mutants with rocket launchers
But the intense engrossing world is there jsut like in Fallout 3.

You'll enjoy it.

Don't worry, you pick it up soon enough.