A great start when new to 3D printing is PLA. I recommend no raft, no supports, and PLA as the way to go until you get confident enough to move on. I have been 3D printing for 2 years and never use a raft. If you need more surface adhesion on a segment of your model just draw some 20 mm dia. pucks that are the same thickness as your first layer and trim them off with side cutters.

I believe this user (Flyboy) has a printer with eccentric pulleys which is partly to blame for the quality.