Hi Eardrum,
I reccomed you have a read of this sight to understand some of the basics. This is where i started. You can ignore the comment about $500 to a certain degree as these days prices are more competetive and this article was written methinks some time ago.
http://astronomy.trilobytes.com.au/scope.htm
Another good one i would reccomend.
Main index
http://www.ayton.id.au/gary/Science/.../Astronomy.htm
Look under Telescopes.. for this sub page.
http://www.ayton.id.au/gary/Science/..._Telescope.htm
Regards