Well, there is a thing about cross posting, but maybe we can be helpful at the same time. Since this is the Other Equipment forum, let's talk about other equipment.
I'm a newbie, too, and here's my basic equipment list.
Dell computer thingie. Only real trick is to get the fastest disk drive you can afford. I bought a CD burner and there's a basic P III chip. I use the soundcard that came with it - a Sound Blaster "Value" (meaning they stripped stuff off). I'd avoid a computer with an integrated soundcard as part of the motherboard.
Small mixer. I have a Mackie, but there's a bunch out there. All you need to experiment is a couple of XLR inputs. A mixer will have a preamp. You might try to pick up an M-Audio Audio Buddy, which is a neat 2 - ch. preamp available for about $80, instead of a mixer. For me, the easiest way to go is with a little mixer, because I can visualize what's happening to the signal.
Shure SM57 mic (the standard) and a generic dynamic mic for a second. When I bought the Shure, I also picked up an Access 1 - Shure's no name "nearly a 57" type fifty dollar mic. I like it for vocals better than the SM57.
Go to the n-track forum on this board and read up on the program. Then click on the site and download. fifty bucks or so later, you own it. I figure there's not a more powerful bang for the buck out there.
That's it! Hook the tape outs from the board to the SB line in (not mic - there's a crappy preamp that gets in the way), set the SB to recognize the signal and you're off.
My stuff was at this page was all done on this setup.
www.artistlaunch.com/treeline .
Now that I've begun to recognize what I really DON'T like, I'm ready for the next step - condenser mics, real preamps, dedicated units, studio grade computer interface, maybe even a new banjo.... Where'd I put that VISA card, anyway???
and most loved newbie. 
