Sned,
As a newbie myself, let me be the first to say: the search function is your friend. You'll find everything you're looking for. Trust me. You'll learn so damned much, you'll spend all of your money on humis, electronic hygrometers, beads, coolers and cigars. I know this, because I'm now enrolled in a 12-step program to help me quit this site. I've been here a week.
May the Force be with you.
Oh, and welcome!
Seriously. Spend a day immersed in the archive. The Truth is out there.
Cheers!