Quote Originally Posted by BeuBlass View Post
If Square Enix wanted FFXIV to sound and act like EverQuest or World of Warcraft, they would have written the "Help" and "Action" boxes in popular terms.
While many new players have played other MMORPGs such as EverQuest or World of Warcraft, this game attracts a lot of people who have never played an MMORPG before. Not just because it's an "FF" franchise game, but also because of players spreading word to their friends and pressuring them to play and also because it has a reputation for being inviting and a top MMORPG.

Before unlocking the first dungeon, it does have an optional area called Hall of the Novice outside Aleport, which bluntly explains a lot of MMORPG terms they will encounter while playing.
Perhaps this is simply a way for Square Enix to help people immerse themselves in the role play of FFXIV
It definitely is and I've seen a lot of games do this.
Action types are separated into three categories: weaponskills, spells, and abilities.
That is correct.
Abilities, however, are "Actions that do not share the recast timer." This means that you can use a weaponskill or spell then use one or two abilities in between uses or another weaponskill or spell, without going over the recast timer.
Also correct.
The recast timer is about 2.49 seconds for weaponskills and spells.
It's actually 2.50. Weaponskills are reduced by the Skill Speed stat, while Spells are reduced by the Spell Speed stat. So you most likely have a bit of one of these stats on your gear.