I don't know too much about cameras either. I bought a Nikon D40 last month and am playing around with it to see what works. I'm about to go to Crocker Park to pick up a book on photography. I had a Kodak P&S that was dying so I euthanized it.
Whenever I actually get my car waxed, I plan on taking many pictures so I need to learn some basic photo skills myself. I guess it just takes plenty of practice and that's easy to do with digital. A lot cheaper than buying miles and miles of real film.