Ripple Advise

[Rluner]

Ok so I setup a ripple account only to see two options, one get a friend to send me 100 or more XRP (I dont know anyone on Ripple),

or join a gateway which seems to involve joining some other web based company, for as yet unknown reason.

I'm only trying to get GBP to BTC-e am I missing something or is it really such a pain?

Any help / links would be greatly welcomed.

Maybe I just don't get what the hell Ripple is about yet.

Ripple ID raxmShAdHjFJ4A5TpDTm698wyUA94UqTrm