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Re:Roller skating - 11:55 18 Apr 11
Hi Julia and welcome to cSkate. 
Much has been said so far, but here is my twopenny worth.
Inlines or Quads. Partially down to personal preference. However I would recommend for anybody who has not skated before, then for outdoor use inlines would be the preferred choice. They have larger wheels than quads, and a longer wheelbase, so are more stable on potholes, drain covers rumble strips etc, and travel with less effort and better stability at greater speeds. However bear in mind that both inlines and quads come in various different types for different purposes. Inline aggressive, hockey, slalom, speed and freeskate. Quad artistic, hockey, derby and street. Best choice inlines for street skating would be freeskate which generally composes of a hard shell boot with a soft inner liner, generally 1 ankle ratchet strap and maybe a second rachet strap pulling the skate to the heel. Wheels anything between 74mm and 90mm diameter. Quads for street skating best general use would be what I described as street, essentially a hard boot with soft liner (much like the old Bauer quad skates - no longer available I regret), with laces. However you may decide quads are a better choice because you are familiar with them.
Wheels. Much has been said about hardness, but it is not the whole story. Two manufacturers 84a wheels will not be the same in terms of longevity, grip or comfort, but in general terms 84a is about right for inline, and 78a for quad street skating. If you use anything harder (higher number) outdoor on quads, the wheel will tend to stop at every bit of grit and stone as it will not flex to travel over it.
Street or pavement. Maybe you can find a local park with surfaced paths, or an industrial estate or car park in the evening to give you a feel for skating again. It is legal to skate on the road or the pavement, unless specifically excluded by signposts. Pretty much as though you are a cyclist. You will always find some motorists who consider you should not be on the road.
Have fun - hope it all goes well for you.
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